Pakistan defeat South Africa by 93 runs to clinch Lahore Test

LAHORE: Pakistan sealed a commanding 93-run victory over South Africa in the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium, wrapping up the visitors’ second innings for 183 while defending a target of 277. Devald Brevis top-scored with 54, while Ryan Rickelton added 45 runs for the tourists. Shaheen Afridi and Noman Ali starred with the ball, taking four wickets each, while Sajid Khan claimed two.

Earlier, Pakistan had posted 378 in their first innings, powered by impressive knocks from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, who both scored 93, while Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 76 and 75 respectively. For South Africa, Senuran Muthusamy took six wickets and Prenelan Subrayen two. The visitors were bowled out for 269 in their first innings, with Tony de Zorzi scoring a fine 104 and Rickelton 71.

The win marks Pakistan’s first Test triumph at the Gaddafi Stadium since 2006.

The match that was

Towards the end, South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy and Kyle Verreynne were at the crease, while Sajid Khan opened the bowling for Pakistan. With just two wickets needed for victory previously Pakistan has now finally won their first Test win at the Gaddafi Stadium since 2006. Earlier in the first session, Pakistan had tightened their grip on the match by taking six wickets, leaving South Africa struggling at 137 for six, still 140 runs behind with only four wickets remaining.

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Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali led the charge with four wickets, while Sajid Khan and Shaheen Afridi claimed one each. For South Africa, Dewald Brevis top-scored with 54, while Ryan Rickelton made 45, Tony de Zorzi 16, and Tristan Stubbs just 2 runs.

After lunch, Pakistan continued their dominance as Sajid Khan trapped Muthusamy lbw for 7, reducing South Africa to 144 for seven. The pressure mounted further when Shaheen Afridi dismissed Verreynne for 19, also lbw, leaving the visitors reeling at eight down.

Pakistan had strengthened their control leaving the visitors reeling at 137 for six in their second innings on the fourth day, still trailing by 140 runs with only four wickets in hand. Spinner Noman Ali emerged as the standout performer, completing a 10-wicket haul in the match, becoming only the sixth bowler overall, and the fifth Pakistani, to achieve the feat at the historic venue. He was well-supported by Sajid Khan and Shaheen Afridi, who shared the remaining wickets.

South Africa’s resistance came through Dewald Brevis, who scored a composed 54 runs before being bowled by Noman, while Ryan Rickelton made 45 before falling to Sajid Khan. The rest of the batting lineup faltered under relentless spin pressure.

Earlier, South African spinner Senuran Muthusamy made history by becoming the first visiting bowler to take more than 10 wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium, finishing with figures of 11 for 174. His efforts, however, were overshadowed by Pakistan’s dominant position in the match.

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Before Muthusamy, only four Pakistani bowlers, Imran Khan (14/116 in 1982), Abdul Qadir (10/196 in 1984 and 13/101 in 1987), Waqar Younis (10/106 in 1990), and Mushtaq Ahmed (10/143 in 1996), had managed to claim 10 or more wickets in a Test at the same ground.

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As play broke for lunch on day four, Pakistan stood on the brink of victory, needing just a handful of wickets to wrap up the match and secure a 1-0 lead in the series.