The South Africa vs Pakistan first Test in Lahore delivered everything fans crave in Test cricket. intensity, changing speed, and outstanding individual performance. Pakistan’s spinners and Shaheen Afridi’s explosive pace attack led the hosts to an exciting 93-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. After four days of intense cricket, both teams battled valiantly and demonstrated their capabilities.
Full Match Summary:
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on a surface that would help batters early on but favor spinners as the match progressed. This was the start of the 2-match Test series. The hosts were uneasy after losing a wicket early on, but Imam-ul-Haq (93) and Shan Masood (76) steadied the innings with a composed partnership. After absorbing South Africa’s spin attack’s first challenge, they recovered their pace and laid a strong middle order. Muhammad Rizwan (75) and Salman Ali Agha (93), who played confidently and rotated their strikes, kept the scoreboard moving. Pakistan finished with a competitive total on the board.
With Tony de Zorzi’s incredible 104, a patient and well-planned knock that kept his team in the game, South Africa responded strongly. However, the Pakistan spinners took control once more. Sajid Khan ripped through the middle and lower order with quick twists and bounces, while Noman Ali remained constantly accurate. Their combined efforts gave Pakistan a small but significant first-innings advantage and limited South Africa’s progress.
Despite having a steady start in the second innings, Pakistan collapsed in the middle overs. To keep the hosts under pressure, South Africa’s spin combination of Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy made good use of the rough. However, Pakistan managed to score enough runs to maintain their lead because of Babar Azam’s valiant 42 and Abdullah Shafique’s seamless 41. Pakistan set the target of 277 runs for South Africa at the end of the innings.
Day 4: South Africa’s Batting
The match was in the balance when Day 4 started, with South Africa at 51 for 2, chasing 277. It appeared that Tony de Zorzi would lead the chase, but South Africa’s hopes ended in the opening over when Shaheen Shah Afridi struck. He thrilled the fans and set the tone for a furious morning session with his signature in-swinger, trapping Zorzi plumb in front.
Meanwhile, Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis fought bravely and strongly. Brevis put on an aggressive and thrilling display, hitting 54 off just 54 balls with six boundaries and two enormous sixes. As Noman Ali spun one through to dismiss him. The bowlers were frustrated by Rickelton’s patient 45 off 145 deliveries, however, as he dug deep and absorbed pressure.
Against their opposition, Pakistan’s bowlers maintained their calm. On the one hand, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan tightened the screws, while Shaheen Afridi continued to attack with speed and swing. Pakistan won the first Test by an impressive 93 runs after South Africa’s resistance was finally broken by the constant pressure and the visitors were bowled out.
Pakistan Bowling:
Pakistan’s bowlers took charge right away and didn’t look back. Even on an old pitch, Shaheen Afridi’s aggressive and precise attack created movement and bounce. He took 4 wickets for just 33 runs as he ripped through South Africa’s middle order. With each delivery, the crowd continued to roar as his fiery spell destroyed the chase.
At the other end, Noman Ali once again displayed his skill. The left-arm spinner brilliantly exploited the rough, forcing batters into slips and hitting whenever South Africa tried to regroup. He finished with four wickets in the innings and an incredible 10-wicket total for the game, showcasing his control, patience, and tactical skill.
Sajid Khan provided crucial support by taking two significant wickets, including Ryan Rickelton, to dash any hopes of a comeback. At 183 all out, just 93 runs short of the target, South Africa’s innings came to an end. Pakistan’s aggressive intent, astute bowling tactics, and skillful use of home conditions allowed them to secure a memorable victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Player of the Match: Noman Ali
With one of his best performances to date, Noman Ali was unquestionably the Player of the Match. Throughout the match, he combined aggression and accuracy to take 10 wickets, including 6 in the first innings and 4 in the second. Noman destroyed South Africa’s batting in both innings by constantly attacking the stumps, varying his pace, and skillfully using the rough.
His spell demonstrated the power of spin on subcontinental pitches and showed his increasing self-assurance and tactical ability in Test cricket. Noman’s genius confirmed his position as a vital weapon at home and set the tone for Pakistan’s spin strategy during the series.
Key Moments in the First Test:
Key moments in the South Africa vs Pakistan first test of the series,
- Tony de Zorzi’s 100: He stood tall for South Africa, fighting alone to keep his team close to Pakistan’s first-innings total.
- Noman Ali’s 6/112: His spell turned the match in Pakistan’s favor, giving the hosts a vital first-innings lead.
- Babar Azam: His 42 composed anchored the innings when Pakistan needed stability, showing leadership under pressure.
- Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell: His early breakthrough, removing de Zorzi in the first over, shifted the momentum sharply toward Pakistan.
- Noman Ali’s 10-wicket haul: The standout performance of the Test, his relentless spin, sealed Pakistan’s 93-run victory and defined the match.
What’s for the Second Test:
Now that Pakistan is ahead 1-0 in the series, all eyes will be on Rawalpindi for the second Test, which has everything from pace to bounce to spin. If the surface encourages seam movement, Pakistan may even bring in an extra fast bowler as they look to maintain their momentum.
Meanwhile, South Africa must respond forcefully to a situation that is win-lose. Particularly when facing Pakistan’s dominant spin attack in the second Test, their batting order has to perform well. To step up and offer consistency, captain Aiden Markram will turn to his key players, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, and Tony de Zorzi. Under the leadership of Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada, the bowlers will attempt to take advantage of Rawalpindi’s early swing and milder weather.
Throughout the first test, the visitors have displayed moments of excellence, but in order to challenge Pakistan and equalize the series, they will need to be steady and composed.
Conclusion:
The South Africa vs Pakistan first Test turned into a true test of temperament, skill, and adaptability. The visitors were unable to handle the pressure on a turning pitch because of Pakistan’s smart use of pace and spin. Noman Ali’s brilliant spin, Shaheen Afridi’s ferocious pace, and the team’s strong will demonstrated Pakistan’s ongoing supremacy at home.
After winning by 93 runs, Pakistan took a 1-0 series lead and went into the next Rawalpindi Test with a lot of momentum. The dedication of their bowlers and Tony de Zorzi’s valiant century were two of South Africa’s highlights, but they will require a more focused, steady effort to recover.
As the action shifts to Rawalpindi, supporters can anticipate another exciting matchup in which both teams will fight hard for pride and series control in addition to a victory. Test cricket demonstrated once more why it continues to be the ultimate test of talent, bravery, and endurance.
Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after winning the first Test at Lahore by 93 runs.
Noman Ali was named Player of the Match for his remarkable 10-wicket haul, which was crucial to Pakistan’s triumph (6 in the first innings and 4 in the second).
The second Test of the series will take place in Rawalpindi, from 20 to 24 october.