Pakistan Ends the Proteas' 10-Test Victory Run.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer claimed four wickets in the second innings following failing to take a wicket in the first innings.

Opening Test, Lahore (day four)

The home side 378 (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; the spinner 5-57)

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

Pakistan won by 93 runs

The national team terminated world champions South Africa's unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run margin victory in an thrilling and closely contested first Test in Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket culminated in a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they lost century-maker Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the finely-poised run chase in Pakistan's favor.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who secured 10-191 in the match, dismissed Stubbs for 2 and bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of significant spin to end opener Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen returned in the post-lunch session to dismiss the tail with a fine display of reverse swing.

He had Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and propels Pakistan directly into the number two spot after 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 three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that slow bowlers Noman and Sajid Khan utilized favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over the English team last year, to maintain their advantage.

The next and final Test starts on 20 October.

Brittany Aguirre
Brittany Aguirre

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