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Confident Pakistan outplay WTC champions South Africa in Lahore spin fest

Arnav Chopra

PAK vs SA (Source: @cricketroom_/X.com)PAK vs SA (Source: @cricketroom_/X.com)

It turned out to be a comprehensive victory for the host Pakistan side in the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, as they won over South Africa by 93 runs. On the back of Noman Ali's 10-wicket haul, Pakistan outplayed South Africa, with their batters putting up a show in the first innings.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of the first Test between Pakistan vs South Africa, as it unfolded at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan, South Africa put up runs with the bat, as spin takes effect

The match began with the Pakistan side batting first in this encounter, where they put up 378 runs on the board. Imam Ul Haq (93) and Shan Masood (76), alongside Mohammad Rizwan (75) and Salman Ali Agha's (93), helped them achieve a score that was decent enough in the first innings. With the ball, Senuran Muthusamy bagged a six-wicket haul as he was the lone fighter for the South African side.

In reply, South Africa's Tony de Zorzi played a spirited 104, while Ryan Rickelton's 71 proved useful, but South Africa could reach only as far as 269 in their first innings. Noman Ali was wonderful with six wickets, as he showed a brilliant fight against the Proteas.

Pakistan claim comprehensive victory as South Africa bundled out for 183

Ahead by some margin, Pakistani batters, Babar Azam (42) and Abdullah Shafique (41), could help them reach 167 only, as Pakistan faltered in their second innings with the bat. In this innings, Muthusamy again picked a five-wicket haul, while Simon Harmer was impressive with four wickets.

Now the game changed all of a sudden, as South Africa required 277 to win this first Test in Lahore. However, things were out of control for the African batters as spin was the prime condition.

Apart from Ryan Rickelton's 45 and Dewald Brevis' 54, South Africa couldn't get many big scores on their radar, as both Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi bagged four wickets a piece to bowl out Africa for 183 runs in 60.5 overs, as they lost the game by 93 runs, where Noman Ali picked a 10-wicket haul in the game.

Brevis played a breezy run-a-ball 54 with six boundaries and two maximums to his name but surely, wasn't enough.

Despite trying their level best, Africa were far away from the target, as spin played a majority role in this clash where runs dried up as South Africa failed to chase in their final innings on Day 4.