The Pakistani team Halts South Africa's 10-match Winning Streak.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer secured a quartet of wickets in the final innings following failing to take a wicket in the first session.

Opening Test, Lahore (the fourth day)

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

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

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

Pakistan halted world champions South Africa's winning streak by sealing a 93-run victory in an entertaining and competitive first Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket culminated in a win against the Aussies in the WTC final in June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.

Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in the home team's favour.

Left-arm spinner Noman, who secured 10 wickets for 191 runs in the game, removed Stubbs for two and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a rapid 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on significant spin to end opening batsman Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Shaheen returned in the afternoon session to knock over the tail with a fine display of reverse-swing bowling.

He had Verreynne leg before for 19 and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Rabada to seal the victory.

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and moves Pakistan directly into second place behind leaders Australia.

The win was built around contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam and, importantly, number seven Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that spinners Noman and Sajid Khan took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their series victory over England the previous year, to maintain their advantage.

The next and final Test starts on 20 October.

Jason Miller
Jason Miller

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