269/10 (84.0)
CR : 3.20
378/10 (110.4)
CR : 3.42
Pakistan won by 93 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Noman Ali
6/112 & 4/790(2) & 11(16)
2:11 PM IST & 1:41 PM Local Time: That’s it from Lahore! Pakistan put on a commanding display as their spinners ran through the South African batting line-up. The hosts clinch the first Test by 93 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Here is the entire recap of the Test match. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first on a dry Lahore surface, and their top order made the most of the opportunity. Imam-ul-Haq marked a strong return with a fluent 93, narrowly missing out on a century, while skipper Shan Masood contributed a solid 76 at number three. The middle order built on that foundation as Salman Ali Agha (93) and Mohammad Rizwan (75) guided Pakistan to a commanding position. Despite a late collapse early on Day 2, the hosts managed a strong total of 378. For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy stood out with a brilliant spell of 6/117, keeping the innings from getting completely out of hand.
South Africa’s reply began on a promising note. Ryan Rickelton continued his fine form, scoring a composed 71, while Tony de Zorzi stood tall with a superb 104 — the only century of the Test. The rest of the batting lineup faltered, with Simon Harmer unbeaten on 19 as the Proteas were bowled out for 269. Nauman Ali led the charge with 6/112, well supported by Sajid Khan’s 3/98.
Pakistan began their second innings with a healthy lead of 109 runs but struggled under tricky spin-friendly conditions in Lahore. Abdullah Shafique found some fluency but fell for 41, while Babar Azam was trapped LBW by KG Rabada for 42. Saud Shakeel chipped in with 38 off 53 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup offered little resistance. South Africa’s spinners dominated, with Simon Harmer claiming 4/51 and Senuran Muthusamy taking 5/57, as Pakistan were bowled out for 167, setting the Proteas a target of 277 runs.
It was always going to be a challenging chase for South Africa under the tough conditions in Lahore, and the cracks quickly appeared once the spinners came into the attack. Markram and Mulder fell just as stumps were called on Day 3, leaving the Proteas under pressure. Day 4 began with Shaheen Afridi striking early, dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 16. Ryan Rickelton looked solid but fell short of a fifty, getting out for 45. Dewald Brevis played an entertaining counterattacking innings, reaching a half-century before Nauman Ali dismissed him with a peach of a delivery that removed ‘Baby AB'.
South Africa kept losing wickets in clusters as the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali ran through their batting lineup. Shaheen Afridi was outstanding with figures of 4/33, extracting reverse swing and picking up the final two wickets to seal the game. Nauman Ali was equally impressive, finishing with 4/79 and a ten-wicket haul in the match. South Africa were bowled out for 183, handing Pakistan a 93-run victory. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Here is the entire recap of the Test match. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first on a dry Lahore surface, and their top order made the most of the opportunity. Imam-ul-Haq marked a strong return with a fluent 93, narrowly missing out on a century, while skipper Shan Masood contributed a solid 76 at number three. The middle order built on that foundation as Salman Ali Agha (93) and Mohammad Rizwan (75) guided Pakistan to a commanding position. Despite a late collapse early on Day 2, the hosts managed a strong total of 378. For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy stood out with a brilliant spell of 6/117, keeping the innings from getting completely out of hand.
South Africa’s reply began on a promising note. Ryan Rickelton continued his fine form, scoring a composed 71, while Tony de Zorzi stood tall with a superb 104 — the only century of the Test. The rest of the batting lineup faltered, with Simon Harmer unbeaten on 19 as the Proteas were bowled out for 269. Nauman Ali led the charge with 6/112, well supported by Sajid Khan’s 3/98.
Pakistan began their second innings with a healthy lead of 109 runs but struggled under tricky spin-friendly conditions in Lahore. Abdullah Shafique found some fluency but fell for 41, while Babar Azam was trapped LBW by KG Rabada for 42. Saud Shakeel chipped in with 38 off 53 balls, but the rest of the batting lineup offered little resistance. South Africa’s spinners dominated, with Simon Harmer claiming 4/51 and Senuran Muthusamy taking 5/57, as Pakistan were bowled out for 167, setting the Proteas a target of 277 runs.
It was always going to be a challenging chase for South Africa under the tough conditions in Lahore, and the cracks quickly appeared once the spinners came into the attack. Markram and Mulder fell just as stumps were called on Day 3, leaving the Proteas under pressure. Day 4 began with Shaheen Afridi striking early, dismissing Tony de Zorzi for 16. Ryan Rickelton looked solid but fell short of a fifty, getting out for 45. Dewald Brevis played an entertaining counterattacking innings, reaching a half-century before Nauman Ali dismissed him with a peach of a delivery that removed ‘Baby AB'.
South Africa kept losing wickets in clusters as the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali ran through their batting lineup. Shaheen Afridi was outstanding with figures of 4/33, extracting reverse swing and picking up the final two wickets to seal the game. Nauman Ali was equally impressive, finishing with 4/79 and a ten-wicket haul in the match. South Africa were bowled out for 183, handing Pakistan a 93-run victory. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Trivia: As is often the case in Lahore, the spinners ruled the roost. For the 25th time in Test cricket history, two bowlers took a 10 wicket-haul each in the same match. This marked the first time it happened in a Pakistan vs South Africa Test, and also the first time on a Lahore pitch. The two bowlers in this Test were Nauman Ali & Senuran Muthusamy.
Instances of Two Left-Arm Finger Spinners Taking 10-Wicket Hauls in the Same Test Match:
Ray Bright (Australia) (10/111) & Iqbal Qasim (Pakistan) (11/118), Karachi, 1980
Ravindra Jadeja (India) (10/120) & Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) (11/160), Wankhede, 2024
Nauman Ali (Pakistan) (10/191) & Senuran Muthusamy (South Africa) (11/174), Lahore, 2025 [This Test]*
Ray Bright (Australia) (10/111) & Iqbal Qasim (Pakistan) (11/118), Karachi, 1980
Ravindra Jadeja (India) (10/120) & Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) (11/160), Wankhede, 2024
Nauman Ali (Pakistan) (10/191) & Senuran Muthusamy (South Africa) (11/174), Lahore, 2025 [This Test]*
2:26 PM IST & 1:56 PM Local Time: Time for the Post-Match Presentation!
Player of the Match: Nauman Ali
Nauman Ali (Player of the Match): "I want to thank Allah first and foremost. We had to adapt with every session and discuss our plan in between sessions. We have to stick to basics and try to keep it simple. I am playing only red-ball cricket, and I have worked on my craft with coaches at the NCA.
Brevis was playing well on this pitch. I was excited to take his wicket since it was a crucial phase of play, and it was my 10th wicket in this match as well. I will try and rest before the next Test."
Brevis was playing well on this pitch. I was excited to take his wicket since it was a crucial phase of play, and it was my 10th wicket in this match as well. I will try and rest before the next Test."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "Yeah, there were some good stuff over the few days we played. Really good signs of bat and ball. We will clean it up and comeback stronger in the next Test.
I think those small moments got away from us. Partnerships are key in this kind of wickets so we lacked that. We got them 5 down in the first innings but failed to wrap up the innings quickly enough.
(On Senuran Muthusamy) Well, he is bowling really well. I am really happy for him and hopefully he continues to keep delivering for the country.
Well, we played a balanced side. We don't know how the surface will play in Pindi. So, we need to get there first and then we will have a look at the right combination for us."
I think those small moments got away from us. Partnerships are key in this kind of wickets so we lacked that. We got them 5 down in the first innings but failed to wrap up the innings quickly enough.
(On Senuran Muthusamy) Well, he is bowling really well. I am really happy for him and hopefully he continues to keep delivering for the country.
Well, we played a balanced side. We don't know how the surface will play in Pindi. So, we need to get there first and then we will have a look at the right combination for us."
Shan Masood (Pakistan Captain): "Birthday was yesterday, haha. With a lot of challenges in the middle, you have to give credit to South Africa; they kept coming back. Like I said before the match, they are the World Champions, and they do not give up. This was our measuring stick, and I am very happy that we could get the win.
Historically, we have always played on such surfaces. We have produced pacers who have picked up wickets in such conditions. We always want the reverse swing in play. When you play a Test championship, it is a collective effort. It is also understood that they might bowl only a few overs.
Sajid was brilliant, supported well with his spin, and Nauman is Nauman. With a couple of spinners and a couple of pacers, that creates the armory going forward. For us, We are very excited to be playing Test cricket at home. To start off with a win is a great start.
How did you know I had cakes? Haha, look, I did not cut any cakes yesterday, but we'll go back and eat some with Babar."
Historically, we have always played on such surfaces. We have produced pacers who have picked up wickets in such conditions. We always want the reverse swing in play. When you play a Test championship, it is a collective effort. It is also understood that they might bowl only a few overs.
Sajid was brilliant, supported well with his spin, and Nauman is Nauman. With a couple of spinners and a couple of pacers, that creates the armory going forward. For us, We are very excited to be playing Test cricket at home. To start off with a win is a great start.
How did you know I had cakes? Haha, look, I did not cut any cakes yesterday, but we'll go back and eat some with Babar."
That’s all from Lahore! On a typical Lahore surface, the hosts Pakistan made full use of the conditions, defeating the reigning World Test Champions South Africa by 93 runs. Stay tuned for the 2nd Test, starting on 20th October in Rawalpindi.
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Anirudh Modi who, along with scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer & statsman Aman as we brought all the updates of this day’s play. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Anirudh Modi who, along with scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer & statsman Aman as we brought all the updates of this day’s play. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋