Colombo:Debutant fast bowler Saqib Khan played a pivotal role in Pakistan's fightback during the first cricket Test, claiming a seven-wicket haul to give his team a slender first-innings lead over Sri Lanka, who were dismissed with a 12-run advantage.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Saqib captured 7-130 by utilizing the overcast conditions to his benefit, helping to bowl Sri Lanka out for 446 within the first 90 minutes of Day 4. Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for just 42 runs. Saqib's remarkable performance included dismissing Asitha Fernando through a review, marking the wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori's sixth catch of the innings.
Fernando's earlier dismissal of Tayyab Arif, one of Pakistan's four debutants, leg before wicket, left Pakistan at 39-1 in their second innings at lunch, with an overall lead of 27 runs. Azan Awais was unbeaten on 16, while Mohammad Taha remained not out on 12.
The pitch, which had shown little activity on the second day, became lively under the favorable conditions. Saqib's relentless eight-over spell on the fourth morning resulted in five wickets for just 25 runs, disrupting Sri Lanka's strong position at 404-4, which had been bolstered by centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Kusal Mendis.
Saqib managed to break the 249-run partnership with the fifth ball of the morning, catching the edge of de Silva's bat, who was unable to add to his overnight score of 167. Despite a missed opportunity by Saud Shakeel, wicketkeeper Ghori took another impressive catch to dismiss Mendis at 119.
Sonal Dinusha, a promising Sri Lankan player, was out for 20 after edging an expansive drive against Saqib to the slip cordon. This wicket completed Saqib's five-wicket haul. Further contributions from Milan Rathnayake helped Sri Lanka surpass Pakistan’s first-innings total with a boundary off Razaullah, who later secured the final wicket alongside Saqib, further showcasing Pakistan's impressive morning session.