Pakistan’s newest fast-bowling prospect, Saqib Khan, has etched his name into the country’s cricketing history books with a sensational seven-wicket haul on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The 31-year-old pace bowler dismantled the Sri Lankan lower-middle order and tail on the fourth morning, finishing with remarkable figures of seven for 130 as the visitors were bowled out for 446 in their first innings.
Resuming the fourth day in a commanding position at 404 for four, Sri Lanka looked poised to build a substantial first-innings advantage over Pakistan’s total of 434. Saqib, however, had entirely different plans. Operating with disciplined line and relentless aggression on a surface that had offered little assistance to seamers over the first three days, he tore through the remaining batting line-up. He claimed five of the final six wickets to fall, restricting the tourists to a slender lead of just 12 runs and dragging his side firmly back into the contest.
For a fast bowler making his bow in the longest format at the relatively mature age of 31, the achievement carries immense significance. Years of toil on the domestic circuit culminated in a spell that immediately placed him alongside some of Pakistan’s most memorable debut performers. By capturing seven wickets in the opening innings of the match, Saqib registered the best figures by a Pakistani pace bowler in the first innings of a debut Test.
Prior to this display, the benchmark for a Pakistani quick on debut belonged to Mohammad Zahid. Playing at the very same Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium against New Zealand in 1996, Zahid claimed seven wickets for 66 runs, though his feat came in the second innings of the fixture. Saqib and Zahid now stand alone as the only two Pakistani fast bowlers ever to capture seven wickets in a single innings on their maiden Test appearance.
Across all bowling disciplines, Saqib has become just the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve a seven-wicket haul on debut. Alongside Zahid, the exclusive club features two spin bowlers: off-spinner Mohammad Nazir, who took seven for 99 against New Zealand in 1969, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who claimed seven for 114 against England in 2022.
Saqib’s heroics with the ball have capped off an extraordinary match for Pakistan’s fresh faces. Earlier in the encounter, three debutant batters laid the foundation for the hosts’ competitive first-innings score. Tayyab Arif led the way with a composed 57, while Arafat Minhas contributed a fluent 52 and Mohammad Taha added a vital 51. Together, the quartet of newcomers has injected fresh energy into the national side, turning the Rawalpindi Test into a showcase of Pakistan’s emerging domestic talent.
