Pakistan fast bowler Saqib Khan has become the second Pakistani fast bowler to claim seven wickets on his Test debut, delivering an impressive performance against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Rawalpindi Test.
On the fourth day of the match, the 31-year-old pacer took seven wickets for 130 runs in Sri Lanka’s first innings, helping Pakistan make a strong comeback after the visitors had appeared to be in a commanding position.
Previously, Zahid Khan was the first Pakistani fast bowler to take seven wickets on his Test debut. At the close of play on the third day, Sri Lanka were comfortably placed at 404 for 4, raising the prospect of a massive first-innings total. However, when play resumed on Thursday, the visitors lost their remaining six wickets for just 42 runs, largely due to Saqib’s outstanding bowling.
One of the most impressive aspects of Saqib’s performance was his accuracy and consistency in line and length. He repeatedly targeted areas outside the off stump, forcing batters to play at deliveries and creating opportunities for dismissals behind the stumps.
His disciplined approach proved particularly effective against experienced batters Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis, both of whom fell to his bowling.
Saqib’s impressive Test debut follows an outstanding domestic season. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, claiming 47 wickets in nine matches. His performances earned him a place in Pakistan’s squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on November 7. He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka on November 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Before making his international debut, Saqib represented Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Karachi Region Blues in domestic cricket.
In an interview, Saqib identified former England fast bowler James Anderson and South African pace legend Dale Steyn as his favourite bowlers. Both are widely recognised for their exceptional control, swing, seam movement and ability to maintain disciplined line and length—qualities also evident in Saqib’s bowling.
Although primarily a fast bowler, Saqib is also capable of contributing with the bat in the lower order. He has scored several useful runs in domestic cricket, including a half-century in first-class cricket.
From tape-ball cricket to Test cricket
Saqib Khan hails from Mingora in Swat, but his cricketing journey began with tape-ball cricket on the streets and in neighbourhoods of Karachi, where he first attracted attention for his pace.
A major turning point came when he joined Future Stars Cricket Academy in Karachi, where he received formal training under coach Liaquat.
According to Saqib, the transition from tape-ball to hard-ball cricket presented several challenges. Establishing himself in Karachi’s competitive cricket environment was particularly difficult, with established fast bowlers such as Sohail Khan, Tabish Khan and Mir Hamza already making their mark.
However, he remained determined and continued working hard to establish himself in domestic cricket. His consistent performances eventually earned him a place in first-class cricket, paving the way for his remarkable Test debut.
With a seven-wicket haul in his first international Test appearance, Saqib has made an impressive start to his international career and given Pakistan another promising pace-bowling option.
