🏟️ Pakistan Edge Past Defending Champions South Africa to Clinch Lahore Test | Cricketory Insights 2025
Cricket returned to Lahore in grand fashion as Pakistan stunned the defending ICC World Test Championship (WTC) holders South Africa by 93 runs in a thrilling contest at the Gaddafi Stadium.
This wasn’t just a Test win — it was a statement of intent.
Against one of the most balanced bowling units in world cricket, Pakistan showed character, discipline, and resilience to grab a 1–0 series lead in the two-match Test series — and begin their WTC 2025–27 campaign with a roar.
Let’s break down every major moment of this high-voltage encounter — from Imam-ul-Haq’s class to Noman Ali’s match-turning spell — in this exclusive Cricketory match insight.
🇵🇰 Match Summary Pakistan vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test 2025
- 📍 Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 🗓️ Dates: October 12–14, 2025
- 🏆 Series: South Africa tour of Pakistan (WTC 2025–27)
- 🧩 Result: Pakistan won by 93 runs
- 🧠 Player of the Match: Noman Ali — 6/112 & 4/79
- 📊 Pakistan: 378 & 167
- 📊 South Africa: 269 & 183 (Target: 277)
🏏 Pakistan’s Strong Start — Top Order Sets the Tone
Pakistan’s first innings was a batting masterclass built on patience and partnerships.
After an early loss of Abdullah Shafique (2) to Rabada’s pace, the hosts steadied themselves through the calm composure of Imam-ul-Haq (93) and captain Shan Masood (76). The duo built a crucial 161-run stand that blunted South Africa’s new ball threat and silenced early nerves.
Once Shan departed lbw to Subrayen, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel fell cheaply — both within three balls — leaving Pakistan wobbling at 199/5.
But what followed was a turning point — Mohammad Rizwan (75) and Salman Ali Agha (93) crafted a 163-run partnership that redefined the innings.
Rizwan’s patience and Salman’s controlled aggression turned pressure into opportunity. The pair rotated the strike, punished loose deliveries, and dragged Pakistan beyond the 350 mark.
Their partnership not only lifted the scoreboard to 378 but also gave Pakistan psychological control of the match.
💥 Senuran Muthusamy’s Spell — Lone Warrior for South Africa
South Africa’s bowling attack, featuring Rabada, Harmer, Subrayen, and Muthusamy, faced a long grind. But one man stood tall — Senuran Muthusamy.
He bowled 32 overs, claiming 6 wickets for 117 runs, exploiting rough patches on the surface and outsmarting Pakistan’s lower order with subtle variations. His effort prevented Pakistan from crossing 400, giving the Proteas a fighting chance.
However, even his brilliance couldn’t mask South Africa’s lack of penetration with the new ball — a weakness that would haunt them later in the match.
🦁 South Africa’s Reply — Tony de Zorzi’s Lone Battle
When South Africa came to bat, Pakistan’s bowlers wasted no time asserting control.
Aiden Markram (20) began briskly but fell to a smart Rizwan catch off Noman Ali. Soon, Wiaan Mulder followed for 17.
At 80/2, Ryan Rickelton (71) joined Tony de Zorzi, and together they built South Africa’s most stable phase of the match — a 94-run stand full of application and confidence.
De Zorzi’s gritty century (104 off 171) was a batting clinic against spin, mixing sweeps with precise footwork. It was South Africa’s lone bright spot, giving them respectability at 269 all out.
However, Pakistan’s spin trio — Noman Ali (6/107) and Sajid Khan (3/98) — ensured the Proteas never truly escaped control.
That six-wicket haul for Noman was no fluke — it was a blend of flight, drift, and deceptive pace that dismantled South Africa’s middle order.
🌪️ Pakistan’s Second Innings Collapse — Muthusamy Strikes Again
Armed with a 109-run lead, Pakistan looked set to push South Africa out of the game. But cricket had other plans.
Once again, Senuran Muthusamy produced a spell of destruction. His 5/57 tore through Pakistan’s lineup like a storm.
- Imam-ul-Haq fell early, stumped by Harmer.
- Shan Masood’s short stay ended lbw.
- Babar Azam (42) tried to rebuild with Saud Shakeel (38), but both fell within a span of 10 runs.
From 119/3, Pakistan crashed to 167 all out — losing their last seven wickets for just 48 runs.
Despite the collapse, those middle-order runs from Babar, Saud, and Abdullah ensured that South Africa needed 277 to win — a tricky chase on a deteriorating pitch.
⚔️ The Final Chase — Proteas Falter Under Pressure
Chasing 277, South Africa needed composure. Instead, they found chaos.
The first blow came early — Aiden Markram bowled by Noman Ali for 3, leaving the visitors at 13/1. Within minutes, Wiaan Mulder fell for a duck, and Tony de Zorzi was trapped by Shaheen Afridi.
At 51/3, Pakistan had the upper hand.
Young Dewald Brevis, determined to make amends for his first-innings duck, played an electrifying counterattack — smashing 54 off 54 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.
His partnership of 50 runs with Ryan Rickelton (41) momentarily revived hopes. But then came the turning point.
👉 Noman Ali broke through once again, dismissing Brevis at 128/5. From there, the collapse began.
Sajid Khan and Shaheen Afridi joined the demolition, picking wickets in tandem. The tail folded quickly, with Shaheen sealing the win by removing Verreynne, Subrayen, and Rabada in rapid succession.
South Africa were all out for 183, handing Pakistan a 93-run victory.
🌟 Noman Ali — The Unsung Hero of Lahore
At 38 years old, Noman Ali continues to defy age and expectations.
His match figures — 10 wickets (6/112 & 4/79) — speak of both craft and endurance.
Unlike quick turners, Noman relies on subtle drift, consistent accuracy, and perfect pace variation.
He bowled unchanged for long spells, creating pressure that forced South Africa’s middle order into mistakes.
He became only the fifth Pakistani spinner to take a 10-wicket haul in a home Test — and arguably the most influential bowler of the match.
His partnership with Sajid Khan (4 wickets) and Shaheen Afridi’s late burst ensured Pakistan never lost control.
💥 Shaheen Afridi’s Fiery Finish — The Spark Pakistan Needed
Shaheen Afridi’s bowling in the fourth innings was a masterclass in fast-bowling aggression.
He delivered pace, swing, and precision at crucial moments — removing de Zorzi, Verreynne, Subrayen, and Rabada.
His spell of 4/33 wasn’t just about wickets — it was about momentum.
Each wicket sent waves of energy through the Lahore crowd, turning a tense final day into a celebration.
🧩 Pakistan’s Team Effort — Unity Beyond Stars
What made this victory special was the collective performance.
- Imam, Shan, Rizwan, and Salman Agha all scored half-centuries.
- Noman and Sajid shared 19 wickets across both innings.
- Shaheen provided finishing power.
- Rizwan’s glovework was sharp.
Even Babar Azam’s leadership — calm yet assertive — stood out. He rotated bowlers smartly, maintained attacking fields, and never allowed South Africa breathing space.
It was a win that showed Pakistan’s balance — batting depth, spin variety, and pace firepower.
📈 Cricketory Insight: Why This Win Matters
This win wasn’t just about points — it was about belief.
Pakistan’s Test team had been criticized for inconsistency, home collapses, and poor finishing. But against the reigning champions, they showed grit and patience.
Key takeaways from Cricketory’s tactical lens:
- Balanced Spin Attack: Using both Noman and Sajid created relentless pressure.
- Controlled Batting Partnerships: Top and middle-order batters didn’t rely on one star — everyone contributed.
- Leadership Maturity: Shan Masood’s calm and Babar’s tactical insight combined perfectly.
- Home Pitch Utilization: The surface aided spinners, and Pakistan used it wisely without over-preparing.
- Confidence Boost for WTC Cycle: Starting the WTC with a win gives Pakistan early momentum for qualification hopes.
🌍 South Africa’s Struggle — What Went Wrong?
South Africa, despite flashes of brilliance, lacked consistency.
- Their top order, apart from de Zorzi and Rickelton, failed repeatedly.
- The spin attack over-relied on Muthusamy and Harmer, while pace lacked penetration.
- Their shot selection under pressure was poor, especially in the final innings.
Cricketory’s analysis suggests the Proteas underestimated Pakistan’s spin threat — a tactical blunder that cost them the match.
If South Africa are to bounce back in the next Test, they’ll need to address their defensive batting technique and find a way to handle Pakistan’s left-arm spin duo.
💬 What This Means for Pakistan’s WTC Campaign
With this win, Pakistan not only go 1–0 up in the series but also secure 12 crucial WTC points.
It’s the perfect start for their 2025–27 Test cycle after a disappointing finish in the previous championship.
More importantly, it sets the tone for the team’s new direction under Shan Masood’s captaincy — focusing on discipline, teamwork, and long-format dominance.
🔥 Key Stats & Records from the Match
📊 Match Facts:
- Pakistan: 378 & 167
- South Africa: 269 & 183
- Pakistan won by 93 runs
🏆 Player of the Match: Noman Ali (10 wickets)
📈 Top Scorer: Imam-ul-Haq (93)
⚡ Top Bowler: Noman Ali (10/191)
📌 WTC Points: Pakistan 12, South Africa 0
🧩 Interesting Stats:
- Noman Ali became the first Pakistani spinner since Yasir Shah (2018) to take a 10-wicket haul in Lahore.
- Muthusamy’s 11 wickets (6 + 5) were the best figures by a visiting spinner in Pakistan since 2019.
- Pakistan’s total of 378 was their highest first-innings total against South Africa at home.
- Dewald Brevis’ 54 (off 54 balls) was his first Test fifty.
🏁 Final Verdict — Pakistan’s Redemption in Whites
Lahore witnessed a classic Test match — four days of drama, patience, and brilliance.
Pakistan didn’t just beat South Africa; they out-thought them. Every spell, every field change, every tactical shift pointed to a team rediscovering its Test identity.
This wasn’t luck — it was strategy, skill, and spirit.
With this win, Pakistan have reignited belief among fans that the golden era of home dominance might just be returning.
For South Africa, it’s a wake-up call — and a reminder that in the subcontinent, adaptability is everything.
Cricketory’s verdict:
“This Lahore Test was more than a victory. It was Pakistan’s loud reminder to the cricketing world — the kings of spin are back.”
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who won the Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Test 2025?
A: Pakistan defeated South Africa by 93 runs in the opening Test at Lahore to take a 1–0 lead in the series.
Q2. Who was the Player of the Match?
A: Noman Ali won the award for his brilliant 10-wicket haul (6/112 & 4/79).
Q3. What was the turning point of the match?
A: The fourth-day spell from Noman Ali and Shaheen Afridi that dismantled South Africa’s middle and lower order was the game’s turning point.
Q4. How many WTC points did Pakistan earn?
A: Pakistan gained 12 WTC points, starting their 2025–27 World Test Championship campaign with a win.
Q5. Who were the top performers with the bat?
A: Imam-ul-Haq (93), Salman Ali Agha (93), Mohammad Rizwan (75), and Tony de Zorzi (104) were standout performers.