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

Cricket match action

Shaheen Afridi claimed a quartet of wickets in the second innings after going wicketless in the first session.

Opening Test, Lahore (day four)

Pakistan 378 (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar Azam 42; Muthusamy 5-57)

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

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

Pakistan terminated world champions South Africa's unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run win in an thrilling and closely contested first Test in the city of Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket ended with a win against Australia in the WTC final in June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the tightly balanced chase in Pakistan's favor.

Left-arm spinner Noman, who claimed 10-191 in the game, dismissed Stubbs for 2 and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid also capitalized on sharp turn to terminate opener Ryan Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the afternoon session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He had Verreynne lbw for 19 and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to seal the victory.

It was each team's opening game of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and moves Pakistan directly into the number two spot behind table-toppers the Australian team.

Their victory was built around contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

From there slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid utilized favourable home conditions, as they had in their Test series win over England last year, to maintain their advantage.

The next and last match begins on October 20.

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Steven Lopez

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