Lahore: Left-arm spinnerNoman Ali orchestrated South Africa’s downfall with a masterful display of spin bowling as Pakistan clinched a 93-run victory in the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, wrapping up the visitors for 183 in their chase of 277.
The 39-year-old spinner claimed 4 for 79 in the second innings, finishing with 10 for 191 in the match — his third ten-wicket haul in Tests — and was deservedly named Player of the Match.
Pakistan’s triumph not only gave them a perfect start to the new World Test Championship cycle but also snapped South Africa’s record 10-match winning streak, reinforcing the hosts’ dominance on spinning home tracks.
“Pakistan played excellently in every department,” said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, congratulating the team. “This victory is the result of teamwork, and we hope the momentum continues into Rawalpindi.”
Resuming at 51 for 2, South Africa’s hopes briefly flickered through a 73-run partnership between Dewald Brevis (54) and Ryan Rickelton (45). The duo resisted bravely on a pitch turning viciously and staying low, before Noman struck — a sharp delivery that bowled Brevis after his aggressive half-century, ending the visitors’ last real stand.
Sajid Khan soon removed Rickelton before lunch, tightening Pakistan’s grip. After the break, Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to devastating effect, cleaning up the tail with reverse swing to finish with 4 for 33.
Afridi trapped Kyle Verreynne (19) plumb in front, before yorking Prenelan Subrayen (8) and Kagiso Rabada (0) in successive overs to seal the win before tea.
Spinners Dominate the Test
The match, played on a deteriorating surface, was a battle of spin mastery. Across both innings, spinners accounted for 34 of the 40 wickets, with Pakistan’s duo of Noman and Sajid outduelling South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy, who himself took 11 for 174.
Pakistan had earlier posted 378 in their first innings — built around captain Babar Azam’s fluent 42 and lower-order resistance — before dismissing South Africa for 269. Despite collapsing to 167 in their second innings, the hosts’ lead of 276 proved decisive, given Lahore’s history of unchased fourth-innings targets.
چئیرمین پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ کی پاکستان ٹیسٹ ٹیم کو مبارکباد
پاکستان نے ورلڈ ٹیسٹ چیمپئین ٹیم کے خلاف کامیابی حاصل کی ہے، چئیرمین محسن نقوی
ورلڈ ٹیسٹ چیمپئین ساوتھ افریقہ کے خلاف کامیابی ٹیم ورک کا نتیجہ ہے، محسن نقوی
پاکستان ٹیم نے ساوتھ افریقہ کے خلاف کھیل کے ہر شعبے میں عمدہ…
No team has ever successfully chased more than 276 at the Gaddafi Stadium, and Wednesday reaffirmed why. Noman, using guile, drift, and flight, exploited every ounce of rough, while Pakistan’s fielders — particularly Salman Agha, who took five catches in the match — backed their bowlers superbly.
South Africa’s brave resistance faded under relentless pressure. The world champions, who had fought hard for four days, ultimately succumbed to Pakistan’s precision and patience.
The victory, Pakistan’s first Test win over South Africa in three years, sets up an enticing finale when the two sides meet again in Rawalpindi from Monday.
