In a contest hampered by recurring delays due to poor visibility, Pakistan successfully countered Sri Lanka’s momentum during the fourth day of the opening Test in Rawalpindi. The standout performer was debutant Saqib Khan, who claimed a remarkable seven wickets to halt the Sri Lankan advance, effectively limiting the tourists’ first-innings advantage to a mere 12 runs.
The Collapse of the Sri Lankan Middle Order
Sri Lanka arrived at the crease on Day 4 holding a commanding position with centurions Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis set to build upon their overnight score of 404/4. However, the equilibrium shifted rapidly during the morning session. Dhananjaya departed in the very first over, finding the edge behind the stumps against Saqib without advancing his overnight tally of 167. Kusal Mendis followed a similar path just four overs later, dismissed in an identical fashion for 119.
Saqib Khan’s Dominance
- Saqib Khan completed his maiden Test fifer by removing Sonal Dinusha, maintaining immense pressure on the visiting batting lineup.
- The Sri Lankan tail faltered against the host’s bowling attack, resulting in the loss of their final six wickets for just 42 runs.
- By the time the innings concluded at 446, Saqib Khan finished with outstanding figures of 34-5-130-7, dismantling the opposition’s hopes of setting a massive target.
Pakistan commenced their second innings facing a narrow deficit, but Asitha Fernando struck early, claiming the wicket of Tayyab Arif via an LBW decision. From 432/7, the tail couldn’t put up much of a fight as they folded for 446.
Azan Awais and Mohammad Taha steadied the ship, steering the hosts to 39/1 by the lunch interval. Unfortunately, conditions worsened shortly after the resumption of play, with only 9.2 additional overs possible before fading light forced an early end to proceedings. Despite efforts to continue, no further cricket was played, leaving Pakistan at 57/1—a lead of 45 runs heading into the final stages. Only 9.2 more overs were possible after the break when the players were forced indoors because of bad light. Brief Scores: Pakistan 434/9 decl. & 57/1 (Mohammad Taha 24*; Asitha Fernando 1-10) lead Sri Lanka 446 (Dhananjaya de Silva 167, Kusal Mendis 119, Kamindu Mendis 58; Saqib Khan 7-130) by 45 runs.
