The Pakistani team Stops South Africa's 10-match Victory Run.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer took four wickets in the final innings after failing to take a wicket in the first innings.

First Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (day four)

Pakistan 378 (Imam 93, Salman Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; Muthusamy 5-57)

South Africa 269 (Tony de Zorzi 104; Noman 6-112) & 183 (Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman 4-79)

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

The national team brought an end to world champions South Africa's unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin triumph in an thrilling and competitive first Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, who had a 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket ended with victory over the Aussies in the WTC final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the tightly balanced run chase in Pakistan's favor.

Left-arm spinner Noman, who secured 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of significant spin to end opener Ryan Rickelton's stay - he lasted 145 deliveries for 45 runs - and Afridi returned in the afternoon session to dismiss the tail with a fine display of reverse swing.

He trapped Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Rabada to seal the victory.

It was both sides' opening game of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and propels the hosts directly into second place behind leaders the Australian team.

The win was built around key performances of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, all-rounder Agha which boosted them to 378.

After that spinners Noman and Sajid Khan utilized favourable home conditions, as they did in their series victory over England the previous year, to sustain their advantage.

The next and final Test begins on 20 October.

Tracey Franklin
Tracey Franklin

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