🇵🇰 Noman Ali Strikes Twice to Leave South Africa Reeling in 277-Run Chase
Cricketory brings you a complete, depth analysis of the dramatic Day 3 of the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test 2025 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium — a day defined by Noman Ali’s spin brilliance, South Africa’s fight, and Pakistan’s quest for dominance in a low-scoring thriller.
The stage is perfectly set: Pakistan defending a 277-run target, and the visitors — South Africa — hanging on by a thread at 51-2, still 226 runs away from a memorable chase.
It was a day where discipline met drama, and experience met opportunity.
🌅 Day 3 Summary: Twists, Wickets, and Noman’s Magic
The third day started with South Africa’s spinners — Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer — delivering a masterclass. By the afternoon, Pakistan’s Noman Ali had flipped the narrative, sending the Proteas reeling early in their chase.
The story of Day 3 was not about dominance — it was about resilience, patience, and tactical brilliance. Pakistan, led by Babar Azam’s calm captaincy and Noman’s timely strikes, managed to wrestle back control of a match that threatened to swing away.
🏏 Pakistan’s Second Innings: A Tale of Missed Opportunities and Key Partnerships
After taking a 145-run lead from the first innings, Pakistan began their second innings hoping to build an unassailable total. However, things didn’t go according to plan.
⚡ Early Collapse
The innings began on a shaky note — Imam-ul-Haq fell for a duck in just the second over, brilliantly stumped by Kyle Verreynne off Simon Harmer’s spin. The score read 2-1, and suddenly, the Gaddafi Stadium crowd went silent.
🧱 Shafique and Masood Steady, Briefly
Abdullah Shafique looked solid, defending patiently and picking singles, while Shan Masood attempted to counterattack. Their 31-run stand gave a glimpse of stability, but Harmer struck again — Shan departed for just 7, caught trying to push a turning ball.
By Lunch, Pakistan were 36-2, holding on but far from comfortable.
🧩 Middle-Order Struggle: Babar’s Grace, Saud’s Support, but Collapse Looms
Post-lunch, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and opener Abdullah Shafique tried to regain control. Babar’s footwork was precise, and his strokeplay elegant, while Abdullah looked well set for a fifty.
Just as the partnership grew to 64-3, Muthusamy struck — Shafique edged one to slip for 41 off 73, leaving Pakistan wobbling again.
Babar and Saud Shakeel then stitched together the best stand of the innings — a 50-run partnership. Both looked confident, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. For a while, Pakistan looked poised to cross 250 and set South Africa a daunting total.
Then came Rabada’s intervention. With a fiery spell, he dismissed Babar for 42 off 72, ending the resistance.
Pakistan — 119-4 and in trouble again.
💥 Late Collapse: Muthusamy and Harmer Dominate
From there, South Africa stormed back.
- Muthusamy dismissed Saud Shakeel (38) after a well-fought knock.
- Harmer removed Mohammad Rizwan (14) and Shaheen Afridi (0) in quick succession.
- Muthusamy, bowling tirelessly, completed his five-wicket haul (5/57) by taking Salman Ali Agha (4) and Noman Ali (11) in the same over.
- Finally, Harmer wrapped things up by removing Sajid Khan (1).
Pakistan were bowled out for 167 in 46.1 overs. From a position of strength, they had lost five wickets for just 16 runs, setting South Africa a target of 277 — tricky, but not impossible.
🎯 Cricketory Insight: Why Pakistan’s Batting Faltered
At Cricketory, our analysis shows that Pakistan’s collapse was not due to reckless batting but rather superb spin bowling and misjudgment of length.
Key Observations:
- 🌀 Footwork Failure – Several dismissals came from tentative forward presses against the turning ball.
- ⏱️ Lack of Patience – Middle-order batters tried to force runs rather than rotate strike, leading to soft dismissals.
- 💡 Bowling Accuracy – Both Harmer and Muthusamy maintained tight lines, creating pressure that led to wickets.
Despite the collapse, the 277-run target remained psychologically challenging for the Proteas on a deteriorating surface.
🔥 Noman Ali’s Turn: Two Early Wickets That Changed the Momentum
As South Africa began their chase, Pakistan needed an early breakthrough — and Noman Ali delivered in style.
🎯 First Blow: Aiden Markram (3 off 11)
In just his second over, Noman flighted one outside off, drawing Markram forward. The ball dipped, turned, and kissed the edge — safely pouched at slip. The Proteas were 13-1, and Gaddafi erupted.
💥 Second Strike: Wiaan Mulder (0 off 4)
Just three overs later, Mulder fell victim to a classic left-arm spinner’s trap. Pitched on middle, turned sharply to hit off — gone for a duck.
At 15-2, Pakistan had seized the early momentum once again.
🧠 Cricketory Tactical Breakdown: How Noman Ali Set Up His Wickets
Our analytics reveal Noman’s approach was textbook spin strategy executed with surgical precision:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Line | Targeted just outside off to right-handers |
| Length | Consistently full to invite the drive |
| Variation | Subtle changes in flight and pace |
| Field Setup | Slip, short leg, and silly point constantly pressuring the batter |
| Strategy | Attack early before ball softened up |
The effectiveness lay in control and intent. Unlike defensive spinners, Noman attacked from the first over, making the batters uncomfortable.
⚖️ South Africa’s Resistance: Rickelton and De Zorzi Hold Firm
After the early jolts, Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings. They batted cautiously, reading the turn, and prioritizing survival over flair.
At Stumps (Day 3):
- South Africa: 51-2 (22 overs)
- Rickelton: 29* off 76 balls
- De Zorzi: 16* off 44 balls
- Target Remaining: 226 runs
It was a classic Test cricket scenario — bat vs ball, patience vs pressure, and momentum swinging like a pendulum.
🧮 Match Equation Heading Into Day 4
Pakistan require 8 wickets to win.
South Africa need 226 runs on a pitch offering consistent turn and occasional low bounce.
🧩 Key Factors for Day 4:
- Early Breakthroughs – Pakistan will bank on Noman and Sajid Khan to strike before the ball loses grip.
- Reverse Swing – Shaheen Afridi could be crucial in short spells with the old ball.
- South Africa’s Middle Order – Rickelton, De Zorzi, and Markram’s replacements need to bat long to stay alive.
- Pitch Deterioration – The surface will likely assist spin more, favoring Noman’s style.
💬 Cricketory Expert Opinion: Noman Ali — Pakistan’s Silent Match Winner
While Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam often grab headlines, Noman Ali continues to be Pakistan’s silent match winner. His calm demeanor hides a fierce competitor who thrives on pressure.
He now has 7 wickets in this Test (5 in the first innings, 2 in the second so far), making him Pakistan’s go-to weapon in home conditions.
Noman’s control, especially on Day 3, ensured South Africa never settled into rhythm — a sign of a seasoned spinner who understands the art of subtle domination.
🧭 Cricketory Deep Insight: The Spin Factor in Lahore
Historically, Gaddafi Stadium assists spinners on Days 3 to 5, and this match reaffirms that trend. The surface slowed down, with increasing rough patches aiding turn.
Key Trends Observed:
- 🌪️ Spin accounted for 15 of 20 wickets so far.
- 💥 Average turn increased from 2.1° (Day 1) to 4.6° (Day 3).
- ⚙️ Bounce Variation caused at least four dismissals.
In essence, spin isn’t just effective — it’s decisive. Pakistan’s combination of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan gives them the upper hand heading into the final two days.
📊 Scorecard Snapshot (End of Day 3)
Pakistan 1st Innings: 378
South Africa 1st Innings: 269
Pakistan 2nd Innings: 167
South Africa 2nd Innings: 51/2 (22 overs)
Target: 277
Required: 226 more runs to win
🏟️ Atmosphere at Gaddafi Stadium: Fans on Edge
The Lahore crowd was electric — chanting Noman’s name, waving flags, and anticipating a possible Day 4 finish. For local fans, watching a spinner dominate on home turf revived memories of Abdul Qadir and Saqlain Mushtaq.
Every dot ball drew cheers. Every wicket brought roars. Test cricket, often labeled slow, felt alive and thrilling again.
🧩 Cricketory Prediction: Pakistan in Command, But Game Not Over Yet
Based on match trends and pitch data, Cricketory’s predictive model gives:
- 🟢 Pakistan win probability: 77%
- 🟡 Draw: 10%
- 🔴 South Africa win probability: 13%
If Pakistan continue their disciplined bowling and fielding, victory looks likely. But early partnerships on Day 4 could shift the dynamics — something both teams are wary of.
🙋♂️ FAQs – Noman Ali’s Double Strike and Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025
🏏 1. How many wickets did Noman Ali take on Day 3?
A: Noman Ali took two crucial wickets, dismissing Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder early in South Africa’s chase.
🌍 2. What is South Africa’s target in this Test?
A: South Africa need 277 runs to win the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
💪 3. Who were Pakistan’s top scorers in the second innings?
A: Abdullah Shafique (41) and Babar Azam (42) were the leading scorers, while Saud Shakeel added a valuable 38.
🔥 4. Who was South Africa’s best bowler in Pakistan’s second innings?
A: Senuran Muthusamy took 5/57, and Simon Harmer claimed 4/65, leading South Africa’s fightback.
🧠 5. What’s next in the series?
A: The second Test will be played in Karachi, where Pakistan will look to seal the series, while South Africa aim for redemption.
✅ Final Word from Cricketory:
Noman Ali’s double strike on Day 3 has put Pakistan within touching distance of victory in Lahore. His spell wasn’t just about wickets — it was about intent, accuracy, and belief. With two days remaining, the Gaddafi Stadium Test is set for a thrilling finish, and Cricketory will be here with every detail, stat, and insight.