First Test: Pakistan defeat South Africa by 93 runs

Lahore (Web Desk): Pakistan defeated South Africa by 93 runs in the first Test of 2-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 277, the visitors folded for 183, undone by a masterful display from Noman and Shaheen Afridi, who bagged four wickets apiece, with Sajid Khan providing crucial assistance.

South Africa’s innings got off to a rocky start when skipper Aiden Markram fell to Noman for just three, leaving his side struggling at 13 for one.

The spinner struck again moments later, sending Wiaan Mulder back for a duck and tightening Pakistan’s hold on the contest. Rickelton and De Zorzi then attempted to rebuild with an unbroken 33-run partnership for the third wicket by stumps.

Resuming the next morning at 51 for two, the tourists were jolted immediately as Shaheen Afridi dismissed Tony de Zorzi for 16 in the day’s opening over. Noman continued to trouble the batsmen, claiming his third victim by removing Tristan Stubbs for just two, leaving South Africa wobbling at 55 for four.

Dewald Brevis, who had failed to score in the first innings, joined Rickelton and mounted a fightback with a brisk 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking the total past 100.

Brevis counterattacked brilliantly, reaching his second Test half-century with a 54-run knock off as many balls before Noman dismissed him at 128 for five, breaking a vital stand.

Sajid Khan added to the pressure by removing Rickelton soon after, and his dismissal of Senuran Muthusamy for six after lunch left the visitors reeling at 144 for seven.

Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer offered brief resistance, but Shaheen’s fiery pace wrapped things up swiftly.

He removed Verreynne and Prenelan Subrayen in consecutive bursts before completing the job, ending with figures of 4 for 33. Noman finished with 4 for 79, earning the Player of the Match award for his remarkable ten-wicket performance across both innings.

Pakistan’s victory was built on a commanding first-innings total of 378, bolstered by strong contributions from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha, who both fell just short of centuries with 93 each. Left-arm spinner Muthusamy starred for South Africa with a career-best 6 for 117 from 32 overs.

South Africa’s response saw them bowled out for 269 despite a defiant 104 from Tony de Zorzi. Noman shone once again, claiming 6 for 107 in 35 overs, supported by Sajid Khan’s three wickets and one from Salman Ali Agha, giving Pakistan a lead of 109.

In the second innings, Pakistan’s batting faltered as they were dismissed for 167 in 46.1 overs. Babar Azam top-scored with 42, followed by Abdullah Shafique’s 41 and Saud Shakeel’s 38. Muthusamy continued his fine form, taking 5 for 57, while Simon Harmer added four wickets and Kagiso Rabada chipped in with one.

The emphatic win handed Pakistan a 1-0 advantage in the two-Test series, with Noman Ali’s exceptional spin performance standing out as the defining factor of the match.