🔗 Share this article

The national team terminated world champions South Africa's unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin triumph in an entertaining and competitive opening Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-Test winning streak in the longest format culminated in a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they lost century-maker De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the finely-poised chase in the home team's favor.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who secured 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match, dismissed Stubbs for 2 and clean bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of sharp turn to terminate opener Rickelton's stay - he faced 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

He trapped Verreynne leg before for 19 and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Rabada to secure the victory.

It was each team's opening game of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and moves the hosts straight into the number two spot after leaders Australia.

The win was built around contributions of ninety-three by opener Imam and, crucially, number seven Salman Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

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

The second and final Test starts on October 20.