LAHORE: Pakistan clinched important win against South Africa by 93 runs in the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday (today) to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Chasing 277 for victory, South Africa were bowled out for 183 in their second innings.
Pakistan’s spinners once again played a decisive role, with Noman Ali and Sajid Khan sharing six wickets before Shaheen Shah Afridi wrapped up the innings with a fiery spell of fast bowling. The left-arm pacer finished with figures of four wickets.
Resuming their innings at 51 for two, South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi (16, 47b) in the first over of the day, with Shaheen making the early breakthrough. Tristan Stubbs followed soon after, dismissed by Noman for two.
Batting at number six, Dewald Brevis offered resistance with a run-a-ball 54, hitting six fours and two sixes. However, Noman struck again to dismiss Brevis in the 42nd over, completing his 10th wicket in the match.
Before lunch, Ryan Rickelton (45), who scored 71 runs in the first innings, was removed by Sajid Khan, as South Africa were six for 134 in 46.2 overs.
In the afternoon session, Sajid trapped Senuran Muthuswamy (6, 14b) leg-before, while Shaheen accounted for Kyle Verreynne (19, 48b, 1×4), Prenelan Subrayen (8, 8b, 1×4) and Kagiso Rabada (0, 2b) in quick succession. The effort sealed Pakistan’s third consecutive Test victory over South Africa at home.
Noman, who returned match figures of 10 for 191, was named player of the match for his outstanding all-round bowling display.
The second and final Test of the series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 October.
The Test series will be followed by a six-match white-ball series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs.
Pakistan 378 all out, 110.4 overs (Imam ul Haq 93, Salman Ali Agha 93, Shan Masood 76, Mohammad Rizwan 75; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117, Prenelan Subrayen 2-78) and 167 all out, 46.1 overs (Babar Azam 42, Abdullah Shafique 41, Saud Shakeel 38; Senuran Muthusamy 5-57, Simon Harmer 4-51)
South Africa 269 all out, 84 overs (Tony de Zorzi 104, Ryan Rickelton 71; Noman Ali 6-112, Sajid Khan 3-98) and 183 all out, 60.5 overs (Dewald Brevis 54, Ryan Rickelton 45; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-33, Noman Ali 4-79, Sajid Khan 2-38)
Player of the match: Noman Ali (Pakistan)
