Pakistan Halts the Proteas' 10-Test Winning Streak.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer secured four wickets in the final innings after going wicketless in the first innings.

Opening Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (the fourth day)

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

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

Pakistan won by 93 runs

The national team terminated world champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin win in an entertaining and competitive first Test in the city of Lahore.

The Proteas, whose 10-Test unbeaten run in the longest format ended with victory over Australia in the WTC final in June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51-2, they lost first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the finely-poised run chase in Pakistan's favor.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who took 10-191 in the match, dismissed Stubbs for two and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a rapid 54.

Off-spinner Sajid also capitalized on sharp turn to terminate opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's stay - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 runs - and Shaheen came back in the post-lunch session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

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

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and moves the hosts straight into the number two spot behind leaders the Australian team.

Their victory was built around key performances of ninety-three by opener Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, number seven Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

From there spinners Noman and Sajid utilized favourable home conditions, as they had in their series victory over the English team the previous year, to maintain their advantage.

The second and final Test starts on 20 October.

Megan Clark
Megan Clark

A passionate skier and travel enthusiast with years of experience exploring mountain resorts worldwide.

December 2025 Blog Roll

Popular Post