Seven wickets on debut
Saqib Khan's debut match for the Pakistan cricket team in Rawalpindi produced seven wickets in his first innings, a strong start to his international career. The 31-year-old fast bowler was one of four players who received their Test caps for Pakistan in the match against Sri Lanka. He conceded 130 runs for his seven wickets, and he is only the fourth Pakistani bowler to achieve this on Test debut.
Sri Lanka made 446 in their first innings, which gave them a 12-run lead over Pakistan's 434. At the stage covered here, Pakistan's second innings was still in progress, so the result of the match is not yet decided. Khan kept the Sri Lankan batters under steady pressure, starting with experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal, his first international wicket, before removing other important batters, including Lahiru Udara, to complete his seven. For more on the debutants' performances in this Test, see Pakistan debutants shine on day two in Rawalpindi Test.
From domestic cricket to the national side
Khan had already built a reputation in domestic cricket before his national call-up. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, he played a key role in Karachi Blues' success, taking 47 wickets in nine matches. That works out to about five wickets a match, and cricket analysts said his debut at a relatively mature age showed how consistency and hard work at domestic level can eventually open doors at the top.
In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Khan said he spent the first three to four years of his cricket career playing tape-ball cricket, and only later got regular hard-ball training and opportunities. He said his father once asked him whether he wanted to play cricket or take up a job, a question that made him think seriously about his future. He then joined a local academy, which marked the start of his regular cricket journey.
Family and online reaction
Khan said the moment his name came up for the national side was deeply emotional for his family. “When my name came up in the Pakistan team, Mummy and Abu were crying a lot,” he said, adding that his parents, sisters and elder brother had always encouraged him. The Saqib Khan debut match also drew attention online, where the phrase “dream debut” trended on social media.
One user wrote that debuting at 31 and taking seven wickets in the first innings showed that hard work is never wasted. Another said Khan had performed in domestic cricket for years before getting a chance on a big stage, and that his bowling and pace had faced criticism before this match.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saqib Khan ne Rawalpindi mein Sri Lanka ke khilaf apne pehle Test mein sat wicket liye, jo unke cricket safar ka shandar aghaz hai. Woh 31 saal ke fast bowler hain, aur unki kamyabi mein ghar walon ki hausla afzai aur saalon ki mehnat shamil hai. Domestic cricket mein mustaqil performance se kisi bhi khilari ko qaumi team mein jagah mil sakti hai. Match abhi chal raha tha, is liye natija baad mein hi maloom hoga.
