The Pakistani team Ends South Africa's 10-match Victory Run.

Cricket match action

Shaheen Afridi claimed a quartet of wickets in the final innings following failing to take a wicket in the initial session.

Opening Test, Lahore (day four)

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

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

Pakistan won by 93 runs

Pakistan brought an end to the reigning champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run victory in an thrilling and competitive first Test in the city of Lahore.

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

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the finely-poised chase in the home team's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who claimed 10-191 in the match, removed Tristan Stubbs for two and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on sharp turn to end opener Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 balls for 45 runs - and Shaheen returned in the post-lunch session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

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

It was each team's first match of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and moves the hosts straight into the number two spot after table-toppers Australia.

The win was built around key performances of ninety-three by opener Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, all-rounder Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

From there spinners Noman and Sajid Khan utilized helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to maintain their lead.

The second and last match begins on October 20.

David Rose
David Rose

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