LAHORE: Pakistan opened their ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign in style, defeating defending champions South Africa by 93 runs in Lahore on Wednesday.
Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi led the charge at the Gaddafi Stadium on the fourth day, sharing eight wickets between them to seal a dominant win in the opening Test of the two-match series.
Pakistan’s Noman Ali claimed a match haul of ten wickets across both innings and was named Player of the Match for his decisive all-round bowling performance.
Set a challenging target of 277, South Africa were dismissed for 183 in 60.5 overs, with Noman Ali leading the charge. The left-arm spinner claimed his second five-wicket haul of the match, while Shaheen Afridi and Sajid Khan chipped in with crucial breakthroughs to seal a commanding victory for Pakistan.
South Africa’s Chase Falls Apart
Starting day four with the odds stacked against them, South Africa’s chase quickly unravelled. Aiden Markram (3) fell early to Noman Ali, leaving the visitors at 13-1.
The pressure mounted as Noman struck again, dismissing Wiaan Mulder (0) for a duck, putting South Africa in serious trouble at 13-2.
Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi fought to steady the ship, adding 33 runs together before stumps on day three, but their resistance was short-lived. On the fourth morning, Shaheen Afridi made an immediate impact, removing de Zorzi for 16, reducing South Africa to 51-3.
Noman continued to dominate, sending Tristan Stubbs packing for 2 and leaving the Proteas reeling at 51-4. However, Dewald Brevis responded with a counterattacking 54 off 54 balls, providing brief hope with a 50-run partnership alongside Rickelton (41). Just when it seemed like the Proteas might recover, Noman struck again, dismissing Brevis at 128-5.
Pakistan’s Bowlers Finish the Job
With the tail exposed, Sajid Khan joined the attack, dismissing Ryan Rickelton (41) to further derail South Africa’s chase. After lunch, Sajid struck again, removing Senuran Muthusamy (6) and leaving South Africa at 144-7.
A brief resistance from Kyle Verreynne (19) and Simon Harmer gave the visitors a glimmer of hope, but Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell finished the job. Afridi quickly removed Verreynne and Prenelan Subrayen (8), before wrapping up the innings, finishing with figures of 4/33. Noman Ali backed him up with 4/79, ensuring Pakistan completed a dominant victory.
Pakistan’s Strong First-Innings Performance
Pakistan’s position of strength was built on a dominant first-innings total of 378, with Imam-ul-Haq (93), Salman Ali Agha (93), Shan Masood (76), and Mohammad Rizwan (75) all contributing heavily.
Despite a heroic effort from Muthusamy, who claimed 6/117 in 32 overs, and Prenelan Subrayen with two wickets, the visitors struggled to keep Pakistan in check.
South Africa’s Response: 269 All-Out
In reply, South Africa posted 269 in their first innings. Tony de Zorzi was the standout, scoring a gritty 104 from 171 balls, while Ryan Rickelton added 71. However, the Pakistan bowlers, led by Noman Ali with 6/107 in 35 overs and backed by Sajid Khan (3 wickets) and Salman Ali Agha (1 wicket), kept the visitors on their toes, taking key wickets at regular intervals. Pakistan’s Noman Ali took ten wickets and was declared as man of the match.
Pakistan’s Second Innings Setback
Despite a strong lead of 109 runs, Pakistan faced a setback in their second innings as they were bundled out for 167 in 46.1 overs. Babar Azam top-scored with 42 off 72 balls, supported by Abdullah Shafique (41) and Saud Shakeel (38). However, Muthusamy again claimed 5/57, and Harmer added 4 wickets, while Kagiso Rabada picked up 1 wicket, limiting Pakistan’s second-innings total.
Pakistan’s performance in both innings, backed by their strong bowling attack, ensured they defeated South Africa by 93 runs, leading the two-match series 1-0.
The hosts will look to seal the series in the second Test, as they continue their WTC campaign with renewed confidence following this comprehensive victory.
