![Saqib Khan takes a 7-fer vs Sri Lanka [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794464524889_SaqibKhaneliterecord.jpg?type=hq)
Saqib Khan takes a 7-fer vs Sri Lanka [Source: X]
Pakistan pacer Saqib Khan broke some massive records on his Test debut for the country. The cricketer, who bowled in the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test, scripted a 7-wicket haul in Sri Lanka’s first innings to become the first Pakistani bowler to bag a fifer against the Sri Lankans on his Test debut.
Saqib rampaged through the top, middle and the tail end of the batting order to restrict Sri Lanka’s lead to 11 runs after Pakistan's 434 in the first innings.
Saqib Khan etches massive debut records in PAK vs SL 1st Test
As Saqib bagged a fifer in Session 1 of Day 4 and 7 wickets overall, he became the first-ever Pakistan bowler to achieve a fifer against Sri Lanka on his Test debut. He also became the 16th Pakistani bowler overall to achieve this feat.
Saqib bagged the wickets of Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis to destabilise the batting core of the team. He bowled 34 overs and took 5 maidens while giving away 130 runs at an economy rate of 3.82.
Notably, Saqib also became only the fourth cricketer with the best bowling figures for Pakistan in an innings in a debut Test match.
Best Bowling Figures for Pakistan in an Innings in a Debut Test Match:
- 7/66 - Mohammad Zahid vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, 1996
- 7/99 - Mohammad Nazir vs New Zealand, Karachi, 1969
- 7/114 - Abrar Ahmed vs England, Multan, 2022
- 7/130 - Saqib Khan vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026, This Innings*
- 6/36 - Bilal Asif vs Australia, Dubai (DICS), 2018
Saqib’s 7-fer now stands amid Abrar Ahmed’s 7/114 against England in 2022, while the best figures for Pakistan on debut belonged to Mohammad Zahid, who took 7 scalps for just 66 runs against New Zealand back in 1996.
Saqib also bagged an international record with his 7-fer. The cricketer had the best bowling figures as a pacer in an innings in their debut Test match at home.
Best Bowling Figures for Pacers in an Innings in Debut Test Match at Home:
- 7/29 - Kyle Abbott (South Africa) vs Pakistan, Centurion, 2013
- 7/43 - Dominic Cork (England) vs West Indies, Lord's, 1995
- 7/45 - Gus Atkinson (England) vs West Indies, Lord's, 2024
- 7/49 - Alec Bedser (England) vs India, Lord's, 1946
- 7/63 - Alf Hall (South Africa) vs England, Cape Town, 1923
- 7/66 - Mohammad Zahid (Pakistan) vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi, 1996
- 7/81 - Marchant de Lange (South Africa) vs Sri Lanka, Durban, 2011
- 7/95 - Gobo Ashley (South Africa) vs England, Cape Town, 1889
- 7/130 - Saqib Khan (Pakistan) vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026, This Innings*
The chart is led by Kyle Abbott, who bagged 7 wickets for just 29 runs against Pakistan back in 2013. England’s Gus Atkinson was the most recent registered before Saqib, who took 7 wickets for 45 runs against West Indies in 2024.
Who is Saqib Khan?
The Karachi-born 31-year-old started off his professional cricketing career not long ago. He first represented Karachi Blues in the National T20 Cup in 2023 and slowly made his way to first-class and List A cricket.
He made a massive impact in first-class cricket, where he bagged 81 wickets from just 37 innings and 15 scalps from 8 List A cricket matches.
Saqib made a massive impression in the President's Trophy 2026 before the Sri Lanka series, where he bagged 10 wickets, including a fifer from 6 innings, which earned him his maiden call-up for the country.
