Pakistan Stops South Africa's 10-match Victory Run.

Cricket match action

Shaheen Afridi secured four wickets in the final innings after going wicketless in the first innings.

Opening Test, Lahore (the fourth day)

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

The visitors 269 (Tony de Zorzi 104; Noman 6-112) & 183 (Brevis 54; Shaheen Afridi 4-33, Noman Ali 4-79)

Pakistan won by 93 runs

Pakistan brought an end to the reigning champions the Proteas' winning streak by sealing a 93-run margin triumph in an entertaining and closely contested first Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, who had a 10-match winning streak in Test cricket culminated in victory over the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they lost first-innings centurion De Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the finely-poised chase in Pakistan's favour.

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

Right-arm spinner Sajid also took advantage of significant spin to end opener Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 deliveries for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the tail with a fine display of reverse swing.

He had Verreynne lbw for nineteen and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.

It was each team's first match of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and propels the hosts directly into the number two spot after leaders Australia.

The win was founded on key performances of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, number seven Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their series victory over the English team the previous year, to sustain their lead.

The next and final Test starts on October 20.

Desiree Adams
Desiree Adams

An avid skier and travel writer with a passion for exploring winter sports destinations across Europe and sharing practical tips.