Pakistan Win 1st Test, Noman, Shaheen, SA Struggle
Pakistan Win Noman, Shaheen Star in 93-Run Victory Over South Africa
By Voice of Australia Sports Desk
Date: October 15, 2025
Sports / Cricket / Test Series
Pakistan Win First Test of WTC 2025–27 in Style
A superb all-round bowling performance from Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi guided Pakistan to a 93-run Pakistan Win against South Africa in the first Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Pakistan’s spinners and pacers combined effectively to dismiss the visitors for 183 runs, sealing the victory and taking a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
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Match Summary: Pakistan Win by 93 Runs
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 378 (Imam 93, Salman 93, Muthusamy 6/117) | 167 (Babar 42, Muthusamy 5/57) | 545 |
| South Africa | 269 (De Zorzi 104, Noman 6/107) | 183 (Brevis 54, Shaheen 4/33) | 452 |
| Result | Pakistan won by 93 runs |
Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha Build Strong First Innings
Pakistan began their campaign strongly, posting 378 runs in the first innings.
Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha both missed centuries by narrow margins, scoring 93 runs each. Their partnership anchored Pakistan’s innings, setting the tone for a big first-innings total.
South Africa’s Senuran Muthusamy, the left-arm spinner, was the standout bowler, claiming his career-best 6/117 in 32 overs.
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De Zorzi’s Century Keeps South Africa Alive
In reply, South Africa fought back with a resilient century from Tony de Zorzi, who made 104 runs off 182 balls. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against the spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.
Noman Ali was once again outstanding, taking 6 wickets for 107 runs in 35 overs, while Sajid claimed 3 wickets. South Africa were bowled out for 269, giving Pakistan a 109-run lead going into the second innings.
Pakistan Struggle in Second Innings
Pakistan’s batting lineup couldn’t capitalize on their lead, folding for 167 runs in 46.1 overs.
Babar Azam top-scored with 42, Abdullah Shafique added 41, and Saud Shakeel contributed 38.
For South Africa, Muthusamy continued his fine form with another five-wicket haul (5/57), while Simon Harmer took 4/60.
Despite the collapse, Pakistan still managed to set a target of 277 runs for South Africa.
Shaheen, Noman Destroy South Africa in Final Innings
Chasing 277, South Africa were bowled out for 183, thanks to fiery spells from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Noman Ali.
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Shaheen Afridi: 4/33 (12 overs)
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Noman Ali: 4/79 (21 overs)
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Sajid Khan: 2/41
The visitors started poorly, losing Aiden Markram (3) and Wiaan Mulder (0) early to Noman Ali.
Shaheen struck in the first over of the day, dismissing Tony de Zorzi (16), while Noman removed Tristan Stubbs (2).
A half-century by Dewald Brevis (54) briefly revived South Africa’s innings, but once he fell to Noman, the resistance ended quickly. Shaheen wrapped up the tail, ensuring a memorable Pakistan Win at home.
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Key Performers (Match Figures)
| Player | Team | Wickets | Runs Scored | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noman Ali | Pakistan | 10 wickets (6+4) | 20 | 6/107 |
| Shaheen Afridi | Pakistan | 8 wickets (4+4) | 12 | 4/33 |
| Sajid Khan | Pakistan | 5 wickets (3+2) | 10 | 3/59 |
| Muthusamy | South Africa | 11 wickets (6+5) | 22 | 6/117 |
| Tony de Zorzi | South Africa | — | 104 | — |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | — | 93 | — |
| Salman Agha | Pakistan | — | 93 | — |
Babar Azam Praises Team’s Fighting Spirit
After the victory, Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, praised his team’s resilience and composure.
“It’s a complete team performance. Noman and Shaheen were outstanding, and our batsmen set it up beautifully,” Babar said.
“We want to carry this momentum into the next Test and aim for a clean sweep.”
The win gives Pakistan crucial World Test Championship points, setting a positive tone for their WTC 2025–27 campaign.
Expert Opinions on Pakistan Win
Cricket analysts hailed this Pakistan Win as one of the most balanced team efforts in recent years.
The combination of spin and pace proved too strong for South Africa, who struggled to handle Lahore’s turning pitch.
Former captain Wasim Akram tweeted:
“Brilliant effort by the bowlers. Great to see Noman and Shaheen working in tandem. That’s Test cricket at its best.”
Conclusion: A Commanding Pakistan Win (≈300 words)
Pakistan’s emphatic 93-run win over South Africa reflects not only their strength at home but also their growing confidence in Test cricket.
From Imam-ul-Haq’s solid 93 to Noman Ali’s ten-wicket haul and Shaheen Afridi’s pace masterclass, this performance had every element of a complete Test victory.
Despite Muthusamy’s exceptional 11 wickets in the match, South Africa lacked depth in their batting and couldn’t withstand Pakistan’s relentless attack.
This Pakistan Win holds added importance as it marks a strong start to the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27, giving the team momentum and ranking advantage.
Babar Azam’s leadership continues to evolve, with bowlers and batsmen showing unity and discipline. The spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan complemented Shaheen perfectly, exploiting conditions smartly.
Pakistan now head into the second Test with a 1–0 lead and a real opportunity to secure a clean sweep at home.
For South Africa, it’s back to the drawing board — they need to reassess their batting strategy and spin approach before the next clash.
At the end of the day, this was more than a routine win — it was a statement of intent by Pakistan: resilient, aggressive, and tactically sharp.
The nation celebrates yet another Pakistan Win, reminding the cricket world that in home conditions, Pakistan remains one of the toughest sides to beat
