Pakistan Halts the Proteas' 10-Test Victory Run.
The left-arm pacer secured a quartet of wickets in the final innings after failing to take a wicket in the first innings.
First Test, Lahore (the fourth day)
Pakistan 378 (Imam 93, Salman Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; the spinner 5-57)
The visitors 269 (De Zorzi 104; Noman 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman 4-79)
Pakistan won by 93 runs
Pakistan brought an end to world champions South Africa's unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin triumph in an exciting and hard-fought first Test in the city of Lahore.
South Africa, who had a 10-Test unbeaten run in Test cricket ended with victory over the Aussies in the WTC final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.
Having resumed on 51-2, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in Pakistan's favour.
Slow left-armer Noman, who secured 10-191 in the match, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and clean bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.
Right-arm spinner Sajid also capitalized on significant spin to terminate opener Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 runs - and Afridi came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the tail with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.
He trapped Verreynne lbw for nineteen and bowled Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.
It was each team's first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and propels the hosts directly into the number two spot behind leaders Australia.
The win was founded on contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, number seven Agha which boosted them to 378.
From there spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their series victory over England last year, to sustain their advantage.
The second and final Test starts on 20 October.
