Pakistan Halts the Proteas' 10-match Winning Streak.
The left-arm pacer claimed four wickets in the final innings following failing to take a wicket in the initial innings.
First Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (day four)
The home side 378 (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Salman Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar Azam 42; Muthusamy 5-57)
The visitors 269 (De Zorzi 104; Noman Ali 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman 4-79)
Pakistan won by 93 runs
Pakistan brought an end to the reigning champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run win in an entertaining and competitive opening Test in the city of Lahore.
South Africa, who had a 10-Test winning streak in Test cricket culminated in a win against Australia in the WTC final in June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.
Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the finely-poised chase in Pakistan's favor.
Left-arm spinner Noman, who claimed 10-191 in the match, removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.
Right-arm spinner Sajid also took advantage of significant spin to terminate opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Afridi came back in the post-lunch session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.
He trapped Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the win.
It was each team's opening game of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and propels Pakistan straight into the number two spot after leaders the Australian team.
The win was built around contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.
From there slow bowlers Noman and Sajid took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over the English team last year, to sustain their lead.
The second and last match begins on October 20.
