Lahore, Pakistan – In a captivating display of Test cricket, Pakistan delivered a resounding 93-run defeat to South Africa in the opening match of their 2025/26 series. The victory, meticulously orchestrated by the spinning prowess of Noman Ali and capped by the fiery fast bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi, not only marked a dominant start for the home side but also brought an end to South Africa`s impressive 10-Test winning streak.
Pakistan 378 and 167 (Babar 42)
South Africa 269 and 183 (Brevis 54, Rickelton 45)
Result: Pakistan won by 93 runs
Key Performers: Noman Ali (4-79 & 10 wickets in match), Shaheen Shah Afridi (4-33 in 4th innings)
Gaddafi`s Unyielding Challenge: A Target Too Far
The stage was set at Gaddafi Stadium, a venue notoriously difficult for fourth-innings chases, especially on pitches that rapidly deteriorate and offer copious assistance to spin bowlers. Pakistan`s target of 276 runs, though not astronomical, felt like a mountain for South Africa. The historical record echoed this sentiment: no team had ever successfully chased such a total at this ground. This contextual backdrop provided a clear narrative for the final day`s play – a battle not just against the Pakistani bowlers, but against the very nature of the Lahore pitch itself.
Brevis` Audacious Counter-Attack: A Glimmer of Hope
As the final day commenced, South Africa`s hopes lay precariously. Early wickets fell quickly, with Tony de Zorzi`s defense breached by Afridi and Tristan Stubbs falling to Noman Ali`s cunning spin. Yet, a flicker of defiance emerged in the form of young Dewald Brevis. The 22-year-old, playing only his third Test, embarked on a daring counter-attack alongside Ryan Rickelton. Their 73-run partnership was a testament to raw courage against formidable odds.
Brevis, in particular, captured attention with a stunning run-a-ball 54. His innings was punctuated by powerful strokes, including a “no-look” six over long-on to bring up his half-century – a flamboyant statement in a losing cause. It was a brave, if ultimately quixotic, charge that threatened to momentarily disrupt Pakistan`s momentum. However, even the most aggressive intent often bows to the inevitable on a worn subcontinent track.
The Spin Doctors Prescribe Victory: Noman Ali`s Masterclass
The turning point, as often is the case in these conditions, came through Pakistan`s spin bowlers. Noman Ali, the left-arm spinner, was the architect of South Africa`s demise, achieving his third Test-match 10-for (ten wickets in the match). Despite being on the receiving end of some of Brevis`s punishment, Noman remained unperturbed, understanding that only one perfectly executed delivery was needed.
That delivery arrived in the seventh over before lunch. Fired into the pitch, it gripped and turned sharply, breaching Brevis`s defenses and clattering into the stumps. This pivotal dismissal, which saw Brevis depart for 54, effectively deflated South Africa`s resistance. Soon after, Sajid Khan chipped in with the crucial wicket of Ryan Rickelton, who had battled resolutely for 45 runs, further solidifying Pakistan`s iron grip on the match. The spinners had done their job, weaving a web from which the Proteas simply could not escape.
Shaheen Afridi`s Finishing Flourish: The Final Nail
With the spinners having done the heavy lifting, the stage was set for the pace spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, to apply the finishing touches. Reintroduced into the attack, Afridi quickly found reverse swing with the aging ball on the deteriorating surface. He tore through South Africa`s lower order with a menacing display, first trapping Kyle Verreynne leg-before with a vicious dipping delivery, then dismantling Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada with unplayable swinging yorkers.
Afridi’s four-wicket burst in the final innings served as a stark reminder of his potency, padding his figures with the kind of decisive dismissals that frontline fast bowlers relish. His contribution sealed the 93-run victory, confirming Pakistan`s dominance and bringing an emphatic end to South Africa`s impressive winning streak. It was, arguably, a win secured much earlier, courtesy of Pakistan`s strong start on the first day, but Afridi’s late heroics provided a fitting conclusion.
A Statement of Intent: Pakistan`s Commanding Start
This comprehensive victory sends a clear message from Pakistan: they are a force to be reckoned with on home soil, especially when conditions favor their spinners. For South Africa, the loss signals the end of a remarkable run and highlights the challenges of adapting to subcontinent pitches against a well-prepared home team. While they battled valiantly, particularly through the efforts of Brevis and Rickelton, ultimately, the task proved to be a bridge too far for the reigning world champions. Pakistan now holds a crucial advantage in the ICC World Test Championship series, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the tour.
