Pakistan made a dream start to their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign by defeating defending champions South Africa by 93 runs in the opening Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The Men in Green delivered an all-round performance, with spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan and pacer Shaheen Afridi playing crucial roles in sealing the memorable victory.
Chasing 277 for victory, South Africa’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure and was dismissed for 183 in 60.5 overs. The visitors suffered early blows when Aiden Markram was dismissed for just three runs by Noman Ali. Wiaan Mulder followed soon after, leaving the Proteas struggling at 18-2. Despite a brief partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi, Pakistan’s bowlers continued to dominate the game.
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Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell and Noman’s accuracy dismantled South Africa’s middle order. Dewald Brevis offered some resistance with a fighting 54 off 54 balls, while Rickelton contributed 45 runs. However, once Noman removed Brevis, Pakistan tightened their grip as Sajid Khan claimed key wickets, including Rickelton and Senuran Muthusamy, leaving the visitors in deep trouble. Afridi finished with impressive figures of 4-33, while Noman bagged 4-79, sealing the win in style.
Earlier, Pakistan had built a strong foundation with a solid first-innings total of 378. Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha both fell short of centuries, scoring 93 runs each, while Shan Masood (76) and Mohammad Rizwan (75) also played vital knocks. For South Africa, Muthusamy led the bowling attack with 6-117, supported by Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada. The visitors responded with 269 runs in their first innings, where de Zorzi scored a brilliant 104, while Rickelton added 71.
Although Pakistan managed only 167 in their second innings, contributions from Babar Azam (42), Abdullah Shafique (41), and Saud Shakeel (38) helped them set a challenging target. Muthusamy and Harmer shared nine wickets between them, but Pakistan’s bowlers maintained full control. The home team’s disciplined attack ensured South Africa’s chase never gained momentum, earning Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
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Following the victory, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the national team, praising their teamwork and determination. He commended the captain, players, and coaching staff for showcasing excellence across all departments and expressed hope for continued success in the upcoming Test match.