Pakistan Beats South Africa by 93 Runs in First Test
In a thrilling finish at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan beats South Africa by 93 runs to claim victory in the first Test of the series, giving the home side an excellent start to the World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
The visitors, chasing a challenging target of 277 runs, were bowled out for 183 on day four, as Pakistan’s spin duo dominated the match.
Noman Ali Leads Pakistan to Victory
The star of the show was once again Noman Ali, who dismantled South Africa’s batting lineup with precision and control. The veteran left-arm spinner finished with four for 79 in the second innings and an outstanding 10 for 191 in the match, marking his third career 10-wicket haul in Tests.
On a dry and turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch, the 39-year-old spinner exploited the conditions perfectly, forcing errors from even the most composed South African batters. Despite a fighting 73-run partnership between Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton, Noman’s consistency kept Pakistan firmly in control.
In total, spinners accounted for 34 of the 40 wickets to fall in the match, highlighting the crucial role of spin on subcontinental surfaces.
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Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan Add Crucial Support
While Noman starred with the ball, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi made key breakthroughs, finishing with four for 33 in the second innings. His spell cleaned up the tail, dismissing Kyle Verreynne (19), Prenelan Subrayen (8), and Kagiso Rabada (0) to seal the win.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan also chipped in with important wickets, including Ryan Rickelton (45) and Senuran Muthusamy (6), breaking partnerships that could have changed the course of the game.
South Africa’s Resistance Falls Short
Despite losing early wickets, South Africa showed some resistance through Dewald Brevis, who played a fearless innings of 54 runs, featuring six fours and two sixes. His positive approach gave the visitors brief hope before he was undone by a sharply turning delivery from Noman.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan struck early when Shaheen Afridi trapped Tony de Zorzi (16) lbw in the very first over. Tristan Stubbs (2) fell soon after, caught by Salman Ali Agha off Noman’s bowling while attempting a reverse sweep.
South Africa’s lower order struggled against Pakistan’s relentless spin attack, collapsing after lunch to hand the hosts a convincing win.
Match Summary
- Pakistan First Innings: 378
- South Africa First Innings: 269
- Pakistan Second Innings: 167
- South Africa Second Innings: 183
- Result: Pakistan won by 93 runs
- Man of the Match: Noman Ali (10/191)
South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy was their standout bowler, taking 11 wickets for 174 runs, a career-best performance that, despite the loss, underlined his potential as a top-class spinner.
A Strong Start for Pakistan in WTC 2025
This victory gives Pakistan an ideal start to their World Test Championship campaign, after finishing last in the previous edition. The win was built on strong batting from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha in the first innings, who both scored 93, and followed up by dominant spin bowling in the second half of the match.
The second and final Test between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on Monday in Rawalpindi, where the home side will look to clinch the series 2–0.
Conclusion
With this impressive performance, Pakistan beats South Africa not only in the scorecard but also in confidence and strategy. Noman Ali’s 10-wicket heroics, supported by Shaheen Afridi’s pace attack, showcased Pakistan’s depth in red-ball cricket.
The win strengthens Pakistan’s position in the World Test Championship standings, and the team will aim to carry this momentum into the next match in Rawalpindi.
🔗 Read more updates on ICC World Test Championship at ESPN Cricinfo
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