Saqib Khan equals this record with seven-fer on Test debut
What's the story
Pakistan pacer Saqib Khan triggered Sri Lanka's collapse in the 1st Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With an incredible fightback, the Lankans were 404/5 in response to Pakistan's 434/9d in the first innings. However, Saqib's seven-wicket haul helped Pakistan dismiss SL for 446 on Day 4. The right-arm seamer equaled the record for the most wickets taken by a Pakistani on Test debut. He ended up with impressive figures of 7/130.
Match details
Saqib shines on Day 4
On Day 2, Saqib dismissed Lahiru Udara and Dinesh Chandimal, leaving SL at 65/3.
However, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kusal Mendis helped the Lankans cross 400 the following day.
On the fourth morning, Saqib rattled SL's middle order, taking five more wickets. SL started the day's play at 404/4 and then lost six wickets for just 42 runs.
Saqib was the pick of Pakistan's bowlers, taking figures of 34-5-130-7.
Information
Saqib matches this record
Saqib became only the second Pakistani pacer to take a seven-fer on Test debut. He equaled a record held by Mohammad Zahid, who took seven wickets (7/66) on his Test debut against New Zealand in Rawalpindi in November 1996.
Record equalized
Fourth Pakistani with this feat
Overall, Saqib became the fourth Pakistani to record an innings seven-fer on Test debut.
While Zahid tops this list, the former is behind spinners Mohammad Nazir (7/99 vs NZ, 1969) and Abrar Ahmed (7/114 vs England, 2022).
The overall record for best bowling figures on a Test debut is held by Australia's Albert Trott. He took 8/43 against England in Adelaide in 1895.
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Saqib's fifth FC fifer
According to Cricinfo, Saqib took his fifth five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket. His tally also includes 5 four-wicket hauls. Across 20 red-ball games, the Pakistan seamer has raced to 88 wickets at an average of around 23.