Debutant Saqib Khan destroys Sri Lankan batting line, pacer claim 7 wickets
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPND: Pacer Saqib Khan quashed the batting line visiting Sri Lankan team by claiming 7 wickets in the first session of penultimate day of the Rawalpindi Test match, as Sri Lanka were 404 for 4 at the end of day 3 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka's first innings came to an end at 446 runs on the fourth day of the ongoing first Test against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The visitors secured a 12-run lead over Pakistan's first-innings total of 434 runs.
Sri Lanka had finished the third day at 404 for four, but Pakistani bowlers staged an impressive comeback on the fourth day, taking the remaining six wickets for just 44 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 446 in 117.2 overs. Fast bowler Saqib Khan delivered an outstanding performance for Pakistan, claiming seven wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and putting the visitors' batting line-up under pressure.
For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva was the top scorer with 167 runs, while Kusal Mendis contributed 117 and Kamindu Mendis added 58 runs. Following the conclusion of Sri Lanka's innings, Pakistan began their second innings. The national team will now look to overcome the 12-run deficit and build a lead through responsible batting. It is worth mentioning that the match is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2026–27
