🔗 Share this article

The national team brought an end to the reigning champions South Africa's winning streak by sealing a 93-run victory in an entertaining and hard-fought first Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, who had a 10-match winning streak in Test cricket culminated in victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi lbw to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the tightly balanced chase in the home team's favor.

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

Off-spinner Sajid also capitalized on significant spin to terminate opening batsman Rickelton's stay - he lasted 145 balls for 45 runs - and Shaheen came back in the afternoon session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and bowled Subrayen and Rabada to seal the victory.

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

Their victory was founded on contributions of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid utilized helpful home pitches, as they did in their series victory over the English team last year, to sustain their lead.

The next and final Test begins on 20 October.