Pakistan Stops the Proteas' 10-Test Victory Run.
The left-arm pacer secured a quartet of wickets in the second innings following failing to take a wicket in the initial session.
Opening Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (the fourth day)
The home side 378 (Imam-ul-Haq 93, Salman Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; the spinner 5-57)
The visitors 269 (Tony de Zorzi 104; Noman 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman 4-79)
Pakistan won by 93 runs
The national team terminated world champions the Proteas' winning streak by completing a 93-run triumph in an entertaining and hard-fought opening Test in the city of Lahore.
The Proteas, whose 10-Test unbeaten run in the longest format culminated in a win against Australia in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.
Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi lbw to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the tightly balanced chase in Pakistan's favour.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who took 10-191 in the match, removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a run-a-ball 54.
Off-spinner Sajid also took advantage of significant spin to end opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen returned in the afternoon session to dismiss the tail with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.
He had Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the win.
It was both sides' first match of the 2025-2027 Test championship cycle and propels Pakistan straight into second place behind leaders the Australian team.
The win was founded on key performances of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to 378.
From there slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over the English team the previous year, to maintain their advantage.
The next and last match starts on 20 October.
