Fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a magnificent spell of fast bowling to claim seven wickets on his Test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday. However, his remarkable figures of 7/130 could not prevent the visitors from securing a narrow first-innings lead of 12 runs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Later, Pakistan reached 57/1 in their second innings before rain and bad light forced an early end to the fourth day. Pakistan currently leads by 45 runs with two days remaining in the contest.
- Saqib finished with outstanding bowling figures of 7/130 on his Test debut.
- Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 446 in their first innings.
- Pakistan reached 57/1 in their second innings before stumps were called early.
- The hosts currently hold a slender lead of 45 runs in the match.
Match Situation and Historic Spell
Sri Lanka resumed their overnight innings strongly on 404/4 under overcast conditions. However, the greenish pitch offered substantial assistance to the pacers early in the morning session. Consequently, Saqib Khan dismantled the batting lineup by claiming five wickets for just 25 runs during a relentless eight-over spell. Because of this disciplined bowling, Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for only 42 runs. Meanwhile, senior batters Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis fell quickly inside the first fifteen minutes of play.
By achieving this milestone, Saqib joined an elite group of Pakistan bowlers. He became only the fourth player from his country to take a seven-wicket haul on Test debut. Earlier, Mohammad Nazir, Mohammad Zahid, and Abrar Ahmed achieved the same rare feat. After the collapse, Pakistan openers navigated a tricky period before bad light stopped play. Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha will resume the batting on the final morning to set a challenging target.
What Happens Next
Pakistan holds a slight advantage heading into the final day of the opening Test. Because the pitch continues to offer variable bounce, quick bowlers will remain dangerous. As a result, the home batters must score quickly to put pressure on the opposition. Later on, the spin bowlers will likely come into play as the pitch deteriorates further.
Sri Lanka will target early breakthroughs on the fifth morning to restrict the target. Because the weather has repeatedly interrupted play, time is running out for a definitive result. Ultimately, both teams need disciplined performances to force a victory in Rawalpindi.
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