Pakistan Halts the Proteas' 10-match Winning Streak.

Cricket match action

The left-arm pacer took four wickets in the final innings following going wicketless in the initial session.

First Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (the fourth day)

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

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

The hosts secured a 93-run victory

Pakistan terminated the reigning champions South Africa's winning streak by completing a 93-run victory in an entertaining and competitive opening Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-Test winning streak in the longest format culminated in a win against the Aussies in the WTC final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Having resumed on 51-2, they lost century-maker Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the finely-poised chase in the home team's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman Ali, who took 10-191 in the game, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of significant spin to terminate opener Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Afridi returned in the afternoon session to knock over the tail with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He trapped Kyle Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.

It was each team's opening game of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and moves Pakistan straight into second place after table-toppers Australia.

Their victory was built around key performances of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, number seven Salman Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid utilized favourable home conditions, as they did in their series victory over England last year, to sustain their lead.

The next and final Test begins on October 20.

Rachel Adams
Rachel Adams

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