Pakistan Halts South Africa's 10-match Victory Run.
Shaheen Afridi claimed a quartet of wickets in the second innings after failing to take a wicket in the first innings.
First Test, Lahore (the fourth day)
Pakistan 378 (Imam 93, Agha 93; Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; the spinner 5-57)
The visitors 269 (Tony de Zorzi 104; Noman Ali 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen Afridi 4-33, Noman 4-79)
The hosts secured a 93-run victory
The national team brought an end to the reigning champions the Proteas' winning streak by completing a 93-run triumph in an entertaining and hard-fought opening Test in the city of Lahore.
South Africa, who had a 10-match winning streak in Test cricket ended with victory over the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.
Starting the day on 51 for two, they lost first-innings centurion De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in Pakistan's favour.
Slow left-armer Noman, who took 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match, removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and clean bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.
Right-arm spinner Sajid also capitalized on significant spin to end opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 balls for 45 - and Afridi came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.
He trapped Verreynne lbw for 19 and bowled Prenelan 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 second place after table-toppers Australia.
Their victory was founded on contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which boosted them to 378.
After that spinners Noman and Sajid took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to sustain their lead.
The next and final Test begins on 20 October.
