Post by : Rameen Ariff

Pakistan began their home Test series against South Africa with a sensational victory, defeating the visitors by 93 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This win gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and also allowed Shan Masood’s team to top the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, surpassing the Shubman Gill-led Indian team.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 378 runs, powered by strong performances from Mam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha, who scored 93 each, along with half-centuries from captain Shan Masood and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan. For South Africa, spinner Senuran Muthusamy was the standout bowler, claiming six wickets in the first innings, becoming only the second touring spinner to achieve such a feat in Pakistan after the legendary Shane Warne in Australia’s 1994/95 tour.

In response, South Africa’s innings was led by Tony de Zorzi at number four, supported by Ryan Rickelton, who scored 71 runs. Despite their efforts, the visitors were bowled out for 269 runs, giving Pakistan a 109-run first-innings lead.

The second innings saw Pakistan struggle on the tricky Lahore track. While captain Babar Azam fought hard with a knock of 42, he lacked support, and Muthusamy again shone, picking up five wickets to dismiss Pakistan for 167 runs, setting South Africa a steep target of 277 runs to win.

In the final innings, Noman Ali starred with a combined 10 wickets in both innings, and Shaheen Afridi added four wickets, as Pakistan bowled out South Africa for just 183 runs, sealing a remarkable 93-run victory.

This match marked Pakistan’s first appearance in the 2025/27 WTC cycle, and the win placed them at the top of the points table, joining former champions Australia with a perfect 100 percent points conversion rate (PCT). With this result, India dropped from third to fourth position, holding a PCT of 61.90, despite recently defeating the West Indies 2-0 at home.

South Africa, the defending champions, are currently seventh in the WTC standings, while New Zealand, the inaugural winners, are yet to play their first match in this cycle. Pakistan’s win in Lahore not only boosts their confidence but also sets the tone for a thrilling WTC campaign ahead, showcasing their strong home performance and team depth.

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