Saqib Khan takes 7 on debut as Sri Lanka make 446 in Rawalpindi Test

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 446 in their first innings on the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, giving them a first-innings lead of 12 runs.

The visitors resumed the day on 404 for 4 but added only 42 runs while losing their last six wickets. Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan did most of the damage, finishing with 7 wickets in the innings.

Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 167 on day three, was bowled by Saqib Khan in the first over of the morning without adding to his overnight score. He and captain Kusal Mendis had put on 249 runs for the fifth wicket.

Mendis began the day unbeaten on 117 and finished on 119, according to the final tally reported by Daily Pakistan. Express News reported that he was out for two runs in the morning, also to Saqib Khan.

Saqib then dismissed Sonal Dinusha for 20, Lahiru Kumara for zero and Asitha Fernando for 4. Muhammad Abbas took 2 wickets and Raza Ullah took 1 for Pakistan.

Saqib became the fourth Pakistani bowler to take 7 wickets in an innings on Test debut, after Muhammad Zahid, Muhammad Nazir and Abrar Ahmed.

Pakistan had declared their first innings at 434 for 9 on day two. Saud Shakeel made 93, Taiyyab Arif 57, Arafat Minhas 52, Muhammad Taha 51 and captain Babar Azam 50. Daily Pakistan also listed Ghazi Ghori with 48. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took 3 wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Four Pakistan players made their Test debuts in the match: Taiyyab Arif, Muhammad Taha, Arafat Minhas and Saqib Khan.