Saqib Khan’s seven-wicket haul sparks Pakistan fightback against Sri Lanka in first Test

Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan produced a remarkable bowling performance, claiming seven wickets to help Pakistan restrict Sri Lanka to 446 on the fourth day of the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, who resumed their first innings at 404-4, added just 42 runs before being dismissed for 446, securing a slender 12-run lead over Pakistan's first-innings total of 434.

Pakistan, however, suffered an early setback in their second innings when Asitha Fernando trapped Tayyab Arib lbw for 11. The hosts reached 39-1 at lunch, taking their overall lead to 27 runs.

Azan Awais remained unbeaten on 16, while Mohammad Taha was batting on 12 when the players left the field.

How did Saqib dismantle Sri Lanka's batting line-up?

Saqib wasted little time making an impact on the fourth morning, striking in the opening over to remove the well-set Dhananjaya de Silva for 167.

The Sri Lankan batter faced 246 deliveries and struck 20 boundaries during his impressive knock, but his dismissal brought an end to a massive 249-run partnership that had put the visitors firmly in control.

The debutant followed it up with another crucial breakthrough in his next over, sending Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis back to the pavilion for 119 off 202 balls. His innings included 10 fours and four sixes.

With both centurions dismissed in quick succession, Pakistan seized the opportunity to clean up the lower order.

Saqib continued his impressive spell by removing Sonal Dinusha for 20, Lahiru Kumara for a duck and Asitha Fernando for four.

Razaullah provided further support by dismissing Milan Rathnayaka for 12, while Mohammad Abbas accounted for two wickets.

Saqib finished with outstanding figures of 7-130 from 34 overs, registering the best bowling performance of the innings and delivering a memorable debut.

How did Sri Lanka recover during the first three days?

Sri Lanka's recovery was built around an impressive middle-order effort after Pakistan had made early inroads on the second day.

The visitors resumed their innings at 12-2, with Mohammad Abbas dismissing opener Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck before Saqib claimed his maiden international wicket by removing Dinesh Chandimal for one.

Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis briefly steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but Saqib struck again to dismiss Udara for 42 off 52 deliveries, leaving Sri Lanka at 65-3.

Kamindu subsequently joined hands with De Silva to add 90 runs for the fifth wicket. He scored 58 from 131 deliveries, including eight boundaries, before Abbas ended his resistance.

De Silva then took charge of the innings, registering his 21st Test half-century before converting it into his 14th century.

Kusal provided valuable support, bringing up his 24th Test half-century before reaching his 11th Test hundred.

The pair frustrated Pakistan's bowling attack with a monumental 249-run partnership.

De Silva eventually departed for 167, while Kusal's dismissal for 119 early on the fourth morning triggered a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose their remaining six wickets for just 42 runs.