Saqib takes seven on debut but Pakistan and Sri Lanka draw first Test
- Saqib Khan's stunning 7-wicket debut was the highlight of a drawn first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi
Saqib Khan's dream debut with seven wickets wasn't enough to secure a win as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a dull draw, despite strong batting performances from both sides.
- Saqib Khan's impressive seven-wicket haul on his Test debut.
- Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis's centuries for Sri Lanka.
- The impact of rain and bad light on the Test match result.
- Saud Shakeel's crucial 97 to save Pakistan from defeat.
Saqib Khan enjoyed a dream debut with seven wickets, but it was not enough to force a result as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka petered out into a dull draw in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Put in to bat, Pakistan declared their first innings on 434-9 after four out of their top five batters struck half-centuries.
Sri Lanka had appeared set for a hefty first-innings lead at 404-4, powered by Dhananjaya de Silva’s 167 and a century from captain Kusal Mendis (119).
But Saqib, 31, finished with 7-130, including five wickets in a superb eight-over spell, and the visitors lost wickets in clumps to be bowled out for 446.
With significant time lost to rain and bad light in the match, including nearly two sessions on Thursday, the Test ended in a draw with Pakistan on 284-8 in the final session.
Pakistan’s Saqib takes seven on debut to spark Sri Lanka collapse
The home side were wobbling at 125-5 in their second innings but Saud Shakeel’s resolute 97 ended any hope of a Sri Lankan victory. The sides shook hands soon after his dismissal.
The second and final Test will also be played in Rawalpindi from Tuesday after the match was moved out of Lahore due to worsening smog.
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