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

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer took a quartet of wickets in the second innings following failing to take a wicket in the first innings.

First Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (the fourth day)

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

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

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

Pakistan terminated world champions South Africa's winning streak by completing a 93-run margin victory in an entertaining and competitive first Test in Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket ended with a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they lost first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the tightly balanced run chase in Pakistan's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman, who claimed 10-191 in the game, dismissed Stubbs for two and bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on significant spin to end opening batsman Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 runs - and Shaheen returned in the afternoon session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

He trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to seal the victory.

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and propels Pakistan directly into the number two spot after leaders the Australian team.

Their victory was founded on key performances of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to 378.

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan utilized favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over the English team last year, to sustain their lead.

The next and final Test starts on 20 October.

Brandon Allen
Brandon Allen

An art historian and cultural enthusiast with a passion for Italian heritage and museum curation.