Key points
- Noman Ali takes six as Pakistan dominate
- De Zorzi scores maiden Test century
- Pakistan gain 109-run first-innings lead
ISLAMABAD: Spinner Noman Ali produced a brilliant six-wicket haul to help Pakistan bowl out South Africa for 269, earning a crucial first-innings lead of 109 runs on the third day of the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Resuming on 216-6, the Proteas collapsed early as Sajid Khan removed Senuran Muthusamy for 11, leaving them reeling at 228-7. Tony de Zorzi, who had been in fine form, completed his maiden Test century before falling to Noman for a superb 104, including 10 fours and a six.
Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen offered brief resistance, but Noman struck again to dismiss Subrayen for four and later wrapped up the innings. South Africa were all out for 269 in 80 overs, with Kagiso Rabada the final wicket to fall to Sajid Khan, who finished with 3-98. Noman ended with impressive figures of 6-113, while Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket.
Solid start
Earlier, South Africa had made a solid start after bowling out Pakistan for 378, with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton adding 45 for the first wicket before Noman dismissed Markram for 20. Wiaan Mulder added 17 before becoming Noman’s second victim.
De Zorzi and Rickelton then steadied the innings with a 94-run stand. Rickelton reached his maiden Test fifty but fell for 71 to Salman Ali Agha, triggering a collapse. Noman dismissed Tristan Stubbs (8) and Kyle Verreynne (2), while Sajid removed Dewald Brevis for a golden duck.
Pakistan’s first innings was anchored by Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, who both scored 93, alongside captain Shan Masood’s 76 and Mohammad Rizwan’s 75. For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy starred with career-best figures of 6-117, supported by Subrayen (2) and Rabada and Harmer with one apiece.
