LAHORE: Pakistan opened their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign in commanding fashion, defeating defending champions South Africa by 93 runs in the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.
Set a target of 277, South Africa were dismissed for 183 in 60.5 overs as spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, along with pacer Shaheen Afridi, combined to deliver a decisive victory.
South Africa’s chase faltered early when captain Aiden Markram fell to Noman for just three. The left-arm spinner struck again soon after, removing Wiaan Mulder for a duck to leave the visitors reeling at 18-2.
Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings briefly with a 33-run stand before Shaheen Afridi broke through on the fourth day, dismissing de Zorzi for 16. Noman then removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 to tighten Pakistan’s grip.
Dewald Brevis counterattacked with a brisk 54 off 54 balls, adding 73 with Rickelton (45), but once Noman dismissed Brevis at 128-5, the rest of the batting order folded quickly. Sajid Khan claimed key wickets after lunch, removing Rickelton and Senuran Muthusamy (6), while Shaheen wrapped up the tail with a fiery spell to finish with 4-33. Noman took 4-79.
Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378 had laid the foundation for the win, with Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha both scoring 93, Shan Masood contributing 76, and Mohammad Rizwan adding 75. Senuran Muthusamy took 6-117 for the visitors.
South Africa replied with 269, anchored by de Zorzi’s 104 and Rickelton’s 71. Noman claimed 6-112 in that innings, supported by Sajid Khan’s three wickets.
Leading by 109, Pakistan managed 167 in their second innings, with Babar Azam (42), Abdullah Shafique (41), and Saud Shakeel (38) contributing runs before Muthusamy (5-57) and Simon Harmer (4-51) bowled them out.
Despite the modest target, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control throughout to secure a convincing win and take a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi praised the team’s all-round performance, calling it “a remarkable victory against the World Test Champions.” He lauded the players and staff for their teamwork and consistency and wished them success in the next match.
