Pakistan Halts South Africa's 10-Test Victory Run.

Cricket match action

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

First Test, Lahore (the fourth day)

Pakistan 378 (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Salman Agha 93; Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar Azam 42; the spinner 5-57)

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

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

Pakistan terminated the reigning champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by completing a 93-run margin win in an entertaining and hard-fought opening Test in Lahore.

South Africa, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket culminated in a win against Australia in the WTC final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Having resumed on 51 for two, they lost century-maker Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the tightly balanced run chase in the home team's favour.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who secured 10-191 in the game, removed Tristan Stubbs for two and clean bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

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

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for 19 and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to seal the win.

It was both sides' opening game of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and moves the hosts directly into second place after leaders Australia.

Their victory was built around contributions of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over England last year, to maintain their advantage.

The next and final Test begins on October 20.

Kyle Thompson
Kyle Thompson

Music journalist and critic with a passion for indie and alternative scenes, bringing over a decade of experience to her writing.