Pakistan Stops the Proteas' 10-Test Victory Run.

Cricket match action

Shaheen Afridi secured four wickets in the final innings after going wicketless in the initial session.

Opening Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (day four)

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

The visitors 269 (Tony de Zorzi 104; Noman Ali 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman Ali 4-79)

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

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

The Proteas, whose 10-Test unbeaten run in the longest format culminated in victory over the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi lbw to pace bowler Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the finely-poised chase in Pakistan's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman, who secured 10-191 in the game, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and bowled Brevis, who offered some resistance with a rapid 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of significant spin to terminate opener Ryan 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 fine display of reverse-swing bowling.

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

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and moves Pakistan straight into second place after table-toppers the Australian team.

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

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid utilized helpful home pitches, as they had in their Test series win over England the previous year, to maintain their lead.

The next and final Test begins on October 20.

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