RAWALPINDI: Rain and bad light disrupted the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Thursday after debutant pacer Saqib Khan claimed seven wickets to lead the home side’s fightback.
Saqib returned figures of 7-130 in overcast conditions as Sri Lanka, who resumed at 404-4, collapsed to 446 all out in their first innings. Pakistan conceded a narrow lead of 12 runs.
The hosts were 57-1 in their second innings when bad light and then rain stopped play 45 minutes into the second session. Opener Azan Awais was unbeaten on 22 while Mohammad Taha was not out on 24, leaving Pakistan ahead by 45 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Pakistan lost opener Tayyab Arif just before lunch when he was trapped lbw by Asitha Fernando for 11.
With more rain forecast for Friday, the Test appeared to be heading towards a draw. The series result may now depend on the second and final match, also scheduled in Rawalpindi from November 17.
Saqib was the standout performer in the morning session. He struck in the first over of the day, removing centurion Dhananjaya de Silva, who was caught behind by Ghazi Ghori without adding to his overnight score of 167.
De Silva’s innings lasted 405 minutes and included 20 fours. He was soon followed by Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis, who had also completed his century on the third day.
Kusal, who shared a 249-run fifth-wicket stand with De Silva, fell to Saqib in the fifth over after adding only two runs to his overnight score. He made 119, hitting 10 fours and four sixes during his five-hour stay at the crease.
Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 42 runs. Saqib completed his five-wicket haul when Sonal Dinusha, who made 20, edged to slip.
The debutant then removed tail-enders Lahiru Kumara for a duck and Asitha Fernando for four to become only the fourth Pakistani to take seven wickets in an innings on Test debut.
The other Pakistan bowlers to have achieved the feat are pacer Mohammad Zahid, who took 7-66, off-spinner Mohammad Nazir with 7-99, and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed with 7-114.
