PAK vs SL 1st Test Day 4: Debutant Saqib Khan Takes 7 Wickets

RAWALPINDI: Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan delivered an inspired morning spell of seam and swing bowling to haul Pakistan back into the contest before bad light and rain forced an early close to PAK vs SL 1st Test day 4 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan reached 57 for 1 in their second innings when inclement weather halted play after 21.2 overs, establishing an overall lead of 45 runs heading into the final day. Azan Awais was unbeaten on 22 off 65 deliveries alongside fellow debutant Mohammad Taha on 24 off 55 balls, having stitched together an unbroken 42-run partnership to steady the hosts.

The day belonged entirely to 31-year-old right-arm pacer Saqib Khan. Resuming at day 3 score of 404/4 in reply to Pakistan's first-innings 434 for 9 declared, Sri Lanka looked poised to bat the hosts out of the match. However, Saqib Khan's seven-wicket haul triggered a dramatic collapse that saw the tourists lose their final six wickets for just 42 runs to be bowled out for 446.

Saqib struck in the opening over of the morning, inducing an outside edge from centurion Dhananjaya de Silva to wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori without adding to his marathon 167. Four overs later, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis followed his batting partner back to the pavilion for 119, ending their monumental 249-run fifth-wicket stand.

Relentless in his line and length, Saqib claimed his maiden five-wicket haul when Sonal Dinusha edged a booming drive to the slip cordon on 20. He subsequently trapped Lahiru Kumara plumb in front before having Asitha Fernando caught behind via review, finishing with figures of 7 for 130 from 34 overs. 

With this feat, Saqib became only the fourth Pakistani bowler in history to capture seven wickets in an innings on Test debut, joining Mohammad Nazir, Mohammad Zahid, and Abrar Ahmed. Fellow pacer Razaullah wrapped up the innings by having Milan Rathnayake caught in the deep for 12, leaving Sri Lanka with a slender 12-run first-innings advantage.

In Pakistan's second essay, Asitha Fernando struck early to trap debutant opener Tayyab Arif leg-before-wicket for 11. Awais, who survived a dropped chance behind the stumps by Mendis on 17, and Taha navigated the remaining overs with composure before deteriorating light and rain forced umpires to call stumps early. 

With more rain forecast for Friday, both sides face a race against time to force a decisive result on Day 5.