PAK vs SL 1st Test: Saqib Khan 7 for 130 on Debut, Day 4 Report
Published on November 12, 2026
Summary Overview: Pakistan pace bowler Saqib Khan took 7 for 130 on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, removing centurions Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (119). Sri Lanka made 446 in reply to 434 for 9 declared, and Pakistan closed day 4 on 57 for 1, leading by 45.
Who is Saqib Khan? A Pakistan pace bowler making his Test debut in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. He was one of four Pakistan debutants in the match.
How did he do? He took 7 for 130 from 34 overs in Sri Lanka's first innings. His wickets included both Sri Lankan centurions, Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and captain Kusal Mendis (119), who had added 249 together.
What is the score? Pakistan made 434 for 9 declared, and Sri Lanka replied with 446, a lead of 12. At stumps on day 4, Pakistan were 57 for 1 in their second innings, 45 runs ahead.
What happens next? The fifth and final day starts on Friday, November 13. The 2nd and final Test begins on Tuesday, November 17.
The Story: A Debut to Remember
For readers new to Test cricket: a Test match lasts up to five days, and each team bats twice. A debut is a player's first match at this level. Taking five wickets in an innings is a major landmark for any bowler, so seven on debut is a special achievement.
Pakistan 434 for 9 Declared: Four Debutants, Six Fifties
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won the toss and chose to bowl, but Pakistan's new-look batting line-up made a strong start. Debutant Tayyab Arif hit nine fours in 57 off 51, adding 86 for the first wicket with Azan Awais (30), and fellow debutant Mohammad Taha made 51.
Captain Babar Azam made 50, and Saud Shakeel top-scored with 93 off 199 balls. Ghazi Ghori (48) added 96 with Shakeel, and a third debutant, Arafat Minhas, hit nine fours in a maiden Test fifty, 52 off 72. Pakistan declared on 434 for 9. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets each, and Kusal Mendis held five catches behind the stumps.
Sri Lanka 446: Saqib Strikes Early
Mohammad Abbas removed Pasindu Sooriyabandara for 0, and then Saqib Khan made an instant impact. With the ninth ball of his Test career, he had Dinesh Chandimal (1) caught by Salman Agha, and Sri Lanka were 12 for 2. Saqib then had Lahiru Udara (42) caught behind by Ghori, and Abbas removed Kamindu Mendis (58 off 131).
The 249-Run Stand, and Saqib's Return
At 155 for 4, Sri Lanka were in trouble, but Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis took control. They batted for 365 balls and added 249 for the fifth wicket. De Silva hit 20 fours in 167 off 246, and Mendis hit 10 fours and four sixes in 119 off 202.
Then Saqib came back. He had de Silva caught behind at 404 for 5, and Kusal Mendis caught behind at 412 for 6, removing both centurions in the space of 25 balls. He then had Sonal Dinusha (20) caught by Agha, trapped Lahiru Kumara lbw first ball, and had Asitha Fernando (4) caught behind. Razaullah took the last wicket, and Sri Lanka were all out for 446, losing their last six wickets for 42 runs. Saqib finished with 7 for 130.
Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori took six catches in the innings, four of them off Saqib.
Pakistan 57 for 1: Day 4 Stumps
Pakistan trailed by 12. Asitha Fernando trapped Tayyab Arif (11) lbw in the third over, but Azan Awais (22 not out) and Mohammad Taha (24 not out) batted out the rest of the day. Pakistan closed on 57 for 1, leading by 45.
Turning Point: Saqib Breaks the Stand
At 404 for 4, Sri Lanka were only 30 behind with six wickets in hand. Saqib's two wickets in 25 balls, removing de Silva and Mendis, started a collapse of six wickets for 42 runs. Instead of a large lead, Sri Lanka finished just 12 runs ahead.
Stat Corner
Saqib Khan's Seven Wickets
| Wicket | Batter | Dismissal | Score at Fall |
| 1 | Dinesh Chandimal | c Salman Agha | 12 for 2 |
| 2 | Lahiru Udara | c Ghazi Ghori | 65 for 3 |
| 3 | Dhananjaya de Silva | c Ghazi Ghori | 404 for 5 |
| 4 | Kusal Mendis | c Ghazi Ghori | 412 for 6 |
| 5 | Sonal Dinusha | c Salman Agha | 432 for 7 |
| 6 | Lahiru Kumara | lbw | 440 for 8 |
| 7 | Asitha Fernando | c Ghazi Ghori | 444 for 9 |
Figures: 34 overs, 5 maidens, 130 runs, 7 wickets.
Top Performers (Match So Far)
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Saqib Khan | Pakistan | 7 for 130 (34 overs) on Test debut |
| Saud Shakeel | Pakistan | 93 (199), 9 fours |
| Tayyab Arif | Pakistan | 57 (51) on debut, and 11 |
| Arafat Minhas | Pakistan | 52 (72) on debut |
| Mohammad Taha | Pakistan | 51 (105) on debut, and 24* |
| Babar Azam (c) | Pakistan | 50 (58), 7 fours |
| Mohammad Abbas | Pakistan | 2 for 68 (33 overs, 12 maidens) |
| Ghazi Ghori (wk) | Pakistan | 48, plus six catches |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | Sri Lanka | 167 (246), 20 fours |
| Kusal Mendis (c, wk) | Sri Lanka | 119 (202), 10 fours, 4 sixes, plus five catches |
| Kamindu Mendis | Sri Lanka | 58 (131) |
| Asitha Fernando | Sri Lanka | 3 for 107, and 1 for 10 |
| Dilshan Madushanka | Sri Lanka | 3 for 108 |
* not out
Match Scorecard Summary
| Innings | Score |
| Pakistan 1st innings | 434 for 9 declared (106.3 overs). Shakeel 93, Arif 57, Minhas 52, Taha 51, Babar 50, Ghori 48; Asitha Fernando 3/107, Madushanka 3/108 |
| Sri Lanka 1st innings | 446 all out (117.2 overs). De Silva 167, Kusal Mendis 119, Kamindu Mendis 58, Udara 42; Saqib Khan 7/130, Abbas 2/68 |
| Pakistan 2nd innings | 57 for 1 (21.2 overs) at stumps on day 4. Taha 24*, Awais 22*; Asitha Fernando 1/10 |
How the Match Has Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Awais and Arif opening stand | 86 for the 1st wicket |
| Shakeel and Ghori stand | 96 for the 6th wicket |
| Pakistan declare | 434 for 9 |
| Saqib's first Test wicket | Sri Lanka 12 for 2 |
| De Silva and Kusal Mendis stand | 249 off 365 balls for the 5th wicket |
| Saqib removes both centurions | 404 for 4 to 412 for 6 |
| Six wickets for 42 runs | 404 for 4 to 446 all out |
| Day 4 stumps | Pakistan 57 for 1, leading by 45 |
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| Pakistan | Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Saqib Khan |
| Sri Lanka | Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka |
Pakistan debutants: Saqib Khan, Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha and Arafat Minhas.
What's Next
| Match | Date | Venue | Pakistan (PKT) | UK (GMT) | IST | Sri Lanka | ET |
| 1st Test, Day 5 | Fri, Nov 13 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 9:30 AM | 4:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 PM (Thu) |
| 2nd Test | Tue, Nov 17 to Sat, Nov 21 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium | 9:30 AM | 4:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 PM (Mon) |
PKT is Pakistan Standard Time (UTC+5). ET is US Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5). The 2nd Test was scheduled for Lahore, but the PCB has moved it to Rawalpindi because of smog levels in Lahore, according to AAP. The 2nd Test start time assumes the same 9:30 AM start as the 1st Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets did Saqib Khan take on his Test debut?
- Seven, for 130 runs from 34 overs, in Sri Lanka's first innings.
Who were Saqib Khan's biggest wickets?
- Dhananjaya de Silva (167) and Kusal Mendis (119), the two Sri Lankan centurions, removed within 25 balls of each other.
What was his first Test wicket?
- Dinesh Chandimal, caught by Salman Agha off the ninth ball Saqib bowled in Test cricket.
Who else made their debut for Pakistan?
- Tayyab Arif (57), Mohammad Taha (51) and Arafat Minhas (52), all of whom scored fifties in the first innings.
What is the score after day 4?
- Pakistan 434 for 9 declared and 57 for 1, Sri Lanka 446. Pakistan lead by 45 with one day to play.
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