Lahore -UNS: Pakistan’s bowlers exerted strong pressure on South Africa in the morning session of Day 4 in the opening Test, eventually bowling them out at 183 to clinch the Lahore Test by 93 runs at Gaddafi Stadium to kick off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign in style.
Set to chase 277 runs, the visitors were bundled out for 183, courtesy of a match-winning spell from Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi, who took four wickets each with valuable support from Sajid Khan.
South Africa suffered an early setback when captain Aiden Markram was dismissed by Noman for just three runs, leaving the team at 13-1.
Noman struck again shortly after, removing Wiaan Mulder for a duck, applying further pressure on the visitors. Rickelton and De Zorzi steadied the innings, putting on a 33-run unbeaten partnership for the third wicket.
Resumed at an overnight score of 51-2, the visitors faced an early setback as Shaheen made an impact in the very first over, dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 16 runs.
Noman Ali showcased his excellent form by taking his third wicket, removing Tristan Stubbs for a mere two runs with South Africa reeling at 55-4.
Dewald Brevis then joined Rickelton at the crease and steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping South Africa cross the 100-run mark at 110-4.
Brevis, who had a disappointing first innings without scoring, bounced back to make a swift 54 off 54 balls, marking his second Test fifty.
Noman struck again, dismissing Brevis at 128-5, handing Pakistan a crucial breakthrough.
Sajid then removed Rickelton to further dent the visitors’ chase. After lunch, Sajid struck once more, dismissing Senuran Muthusamy (6) to reduce South Africa to 144-7.
A brief resistance from Kyle Verreynne (19) and Simon Harmer followed, but Shaheen’s fiery spell sealed the deal for Pakistan.
He removed Verreynne and Prenelan Subrayen (8) in quick succession before wrapping up the innings, finishing with figures of 4/33 while Noman registered figures of 4/79 as well.
