Pakistan pacer Saqib Khan joins elite list after claiming 7/130 vs SL in Rawalpindi Test

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The 31-year-old Pakistan pacer Saqib Khan has been impressive on his Test debut as he claimed 7/130 in the series opener against Sri Lanka. The pacer helped his side bowl out the visitors for 446 in reply to Pakistan’s 434/9 declare in the first innings. The Lankans were 404/4 on day 3 but lost their last six wickets for mere 42 runs.

Khan recorded the joint-best figures by a Pakistan bowler after his seven-for on debut. Former pacer Mohammad Zahid is leading the list with figures of 7/66 against New Zealand 32 years ago. Mohammad Nazir claimed 7/99 against New Zealand in 1969. Khan, with this amazing performance vs SL, is also the second Pakistani pacer to claim seven wickets in his maiden five-day game.

Abrar Ahmed is also part of the club, with the bowler picking up 7/114 against England during the home series in 2022. Abrar recorded these figures on his debut in Multan.

Sri Lanka squander advantage

Dhananjaya de Silva was dismissed on the fifth ball of the fourth day. He amassed 167 runs, with Ghazi Ghori taking the catch. His knock included 20 fours, and he added 249 runs for the fifth wicket with captain Kusal Mendis.

Mendis was undone by Saqib for 119 runs from 202 balls with ten boundaries and four sixes. The right-arm pacer then got the wicket of Sonal Dinusha for 20 runs to complete his maiden fifer in the Test format.

Lahiru Kumara (0) and Asitha Fernando (4) were also sent back by him.

Veteran pacer Mohammad Abbas claimed two scalps while Razaullah got one wicket for 140 runs from 26.2 overs.

Earlier, Kamindu Mendis batted well to score 58 runs from 131 balls with eight hits to the fence. Opening batter Lahiru Udara gave his side a great start with a brisk 42 that came off 52 balls.

Tayyab Arif was the first batter to get dismissed in the second innings for eleven runs. He was trapped LBW by Fernando just before lunch.

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