Saqib Khan claims seven wickets on Test debut against Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka collapse leaves Pakistan with narrow lead

Sri Lanka began the fourth day at 404/4, trailing Pakistan by 30 runs, with Dhananjaya de Silva at 167 and Kusal Mendis at 117 overnight. Saqib Khan dismissed de Silva for 167 on the fifth ball of the day, breaking a 249-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Kusal Mendis reached 119 before edging a delivery to wicketkeeper Gazi Ghori, who took a low catch after Saud Shakeel missed an earlier chance in the same over. Saqib also dismissed Sonal Dinusha for 20, caught, to secure his maiden five-wicket haul.

The pacer later dismissed Asitha Fernando, caught behind, and trapped Lahiru Kumara lbw. Razaullah dismissed Milan Rathnayake, ending Sri Lanka's innings.

Sri Lanka were dismissed for 446, resulting in a 12-run first-innings lead for Pakistan, according to the Times of India. Cricinfo reported that Sri Lanka’s lead was 12 runs. Pakistan had previously lost their last six wickets for 42 runs.

Pakistan reaches 57/1 before rain halts play

Pakistan reached 57/1 in 21.2 overs before umpires halted play midway through the second session due to bad light and rain. The players had spent several overs under the Rawalpindi floodlights before the stoppage at 3:05 pm.

Cricinfo noted that play ended shortly before 1:30 pm. Azan Awais is on 22 and Mohammad Taha is not out on 24, leaving Pakistan with a 45-run lead.

Coach Mike Hesson’s strategy drives Saqib’s success

Coach Mike Hesson told Saqib Khan in the dressing room to bowl at the off-stump line and use out-swingers to secure wickets.

Saqib said, "My strength is to bowl out‑swingers and I did exactly that today under favorable overcast conditions".

Draw remains likely as rain disrupts Rawalpindi Test

The fourth-day pitch showed significant life, producing seven wickets in 36 overs. Sri Lanka's seamers, particularly Asitha Fernando and Kumara, also extracted testing spells from the conditions. Asitha Fernando dismissed Tayyab Arif lbw shortly before lunch.

Kusal Mendis missed a straightforward chance off Rathnayaka’s bowling after lunch, which would have seen Azan Awais out for 17. Rain and poor lighting conditions forced an early conclusion to the fourth day.

Bad light and rain have now removed more than 100 overs from the match. With only one day left and likely curtailed by bad light as in the previous four days, a draw appears the most probable outcome for the first Test.