Pakistan Debutant Saqib Khan Shines with Two Wickets on Test Debut Against Sri Lanka

Pakistan's debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan made an immediate impact on his Test debut, claiming two wickets against Sri Lanka on the second day of the opening Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Saqib's first Test wicket came when he dismissed Dinesh Chandimal for just one run off three balls, with Salman Ali Agha taking the catch. He then removed Lahiru Udara for 42 runs off 52 balls, including seven boundaries, with Muhammad Ghazi Ghori completing the catch.

Earlier, Mohammad Abbas provided Pakistan's first breakthrough by dismissing Pasindu Sooriyabandara for a seven-ball duck, caught by Ghazi Ghori. Following the three dismissals, Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 25 off 63 balls, including three fours, while Dhananjaya de Silva was not out on nine off seven deliveries, including one boundary.

Pakistan had earlier declared their first innings at 434-9 in 106.3 overs, with five batters, including three debutants, scoring half-centuries. Saud Shakeel led the batting performance with 93 runs off 199 balls, including nine boundaries. He added 96 runs for the sixth wicket with Ghazi Ghori, who scored 48 off 72 deliveries before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka. Pakistan were 349-6 after 88.1 overs.

Shakeel then shared a 44-run partnership with Arafat Minhas before Asitha Fernando dismissed him at 393-7 in 100.2 overs, seven runs short of his century. Minhas went on to score his maiden Test half-century, making 52 off 72 balls with nine fours and a six. He also helped Pakistan cross the 400-run mark alongside Razaullah, who scored 10 before falling to Lahiru Kumara. Madushanka dismissed Minhas before captain Babar Azam declared the innings.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka took three wickets each, while Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Sonal Dinusha claimed one wicket apiece. On the opening day, Azan Awais and debutant Tayyab Arif put together an 86-run opening partnership. Azan scored 30 off 50 balls, while Tayyab contributed 57 off 51 deliveries. Babar Azam and debutant Mohammad Taha later added 69 runs for the third wicket. Babar scored 50 off 58 balls before being dismissed by Madushanka, while Taha made 51 off 105 deliveries before falling to Dinusha at 227-4.