Pakistan Ends the Proteas' 10-Test Victory Run.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer claimed a quartet of wickets in the final innings following going wicketless in the initial innings.

First Test, Lahore (the fourth day)

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

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

Pakistan won by 93 runs

The national team halted the reigning champions the Proteas' winning streak by completing a 93-run margin win in an entertaining and closely contested opening Test in Lahore.

The Proteas, whose 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket ended with victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the finely-poised run chase in the home team's favor.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who took 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match, removed Stubbs for two and bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a run-a-ball 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of sharp turn to terminate opener Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Afridi returned in the post-lunch session to knock over the tail with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to seal the win.

It was each team's opening game of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and propels Pakistan directly into the number two spot after table-toppers the Australian team.

Their victory was founded on key performances of ninety-three by opener Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

From there slow bowlers Noman and Sajid utilized favourable home conditions, as they did in their series victory over the English team last year, to maintain their lead.

The second and last match begins on 20 October.

Jodi Vaughan
Jodi Vaughan

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