MOHSIN ALI
RAWALPINDI: Debutant pacer Saqib Khan claimed seven wickets to lead Pakistan’s fightback before bad light and rain disrupted the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
Saqib returned figures of 7-130 in overcast conditions as Sri Lanka, who had resumed at 404-4, were bowled out for 446. The visitors lost their last six wickets for just 42 runs, allowing Pakistan to limit the first-innings deficit to 12 runs.
Pakistan reached 57-1 in their second innings when bad light, followed by rain, forced play to stop 45 minutes into the second session. Opener Azan Awais was unbeaten on 22, while Mohammad Taha was not out on 24. The home side led by 45 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Pakistan’s only wicket to fall was that of opener Tayyab Arif, who was trapped lbw by Asitha Fernando for 11 shortly before lunch.
With further rain forecast for Friday, the match is moving towards a draw. The outcome of the series is now likely to depend on the second and final Test, which will also be played in Rawalpindi from November 17.
Saqib was the standout performer in the morning session. He struck in the first over of the day, removing centurion Dhananjaya de Silva, who was caught behind by Ghazi Ghori without adding to his overnight score of 167.
De Silva’s innings lasted 405 minutes and included 20 fours. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, who had also completed his century on the third day, soon followed.
Kusal, who shared a 249-run fifth-wicket partnership with De Silva, was dismissed by Saqib in the fifth over of the day for 119 after adding only two runs to his overnight score. His five-hour innings featured 10 fours and four sixes.
Saqib completed his five-wicket haul when Sonal Dinusha, who made 20, edged to slip. He then removed tail-enders Lahiru Kumara for nought and Asitha Fernando for four to finish with seven wickets on debut.
The performance made Saqib only the fourth Pakistani bowler to take seven wickets in an innings on Test debut. The others are fast bowler Mohammad Zahid, who took 7-66, off-spinner Mohammad Nazir with 7-99, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed with 7-114.
