Debutant's seven-for gives Pakistan respite in Rawalpindi
Pakistan's Saqib Khan picked 7/130 in the first innings as Sri Lanka's advantage was lessened to merely 12 runs in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan had lost Tayyab Arif at the conclusion of Day 4 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, with their lead being 45 runs. The series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27.
In response to Pakistan's 434/9, Sri Lanka had begun the day on 404/4 and looked all set to take a match-defining lead. But Saqib Khan, Pakistan's debuting pacer, cut through the batting to reduce Sri Lanka's advantage to just 12 runs.
Having already picked two wickets in the innings, Saqib began the day with a first-over scalp of overnight batter Dhananjaya de Silva (167) before getting the other centurion, Kusal Mendis (119).
De Silva's dismissal was the end of a record 249 run stand, which was Sri Lanka's best partnership for the fifth wicket against Pakistan in Men's Tests.
Both batters were caught behind. Sonal Dinusha, who had come into the series on the back of a stellar performance against India, showed some resistance in his 20, but eventually fell as Saqib picked up his fifth wicket.
The pacer then helped wipe off the tail to finish at 7/130. These were the fourth-best innings figures for a Pakistan bowler on debut. Mohammad Zahid (7/66), Mohammad Nazir (7/99) and Abrar Ahmed (7/114) sit ahead of him based on runs conceded.
The game is still alive, with Pakistan 45 runs ahead and nine wickets in hand.
In the World Test Championship, Sri Lanka sit at the seventh place with a point percentage of 33.33, whereas Pakistan are at the ninth spot with a point percentage of 4.63.
