Pakistan Wrestles Control Against South Africa in Opening Test

LAHORE: Despite a resilient comeback attempt from South Africa on the third day at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan asserted dominance in the first Test match.

The visiting team managed to land five significant blows, which decelerated the host’s momentum; however, Pakistan remains in a commanding position with a lead of 259 runs.

Pakistan’s Innings Progress

Following the lunch interval, Abdullah and his partner managed a 31-run partnership. During this time, Abdullah edged closer to securing his half-century.

Senuran Muthusamy, however, provided South Africa with a breakthrough moment, taking Shafique’s wicket after a score of 41 from 73 deliveries. His innings included six boundaries, placing Pakistan at 64-3 in 19 overs.

Babar Azam sustained the scoreboard’s activity, navigating the team beyond the 200-run threshold, achieving a score of 91-3 in 27 overs. Subsequently, Saud Shakeel joined, establishing his rhythm after some initial challenges, supporting Babar in achieving a 50-run partnership.

The tide shifted once more when Kagiso Rabada made a breakthrough, dismissing Babar for 42 runs from 72 balls, which included five boundaries, leaving Pakistan at 119-4 in 30.5 overs.

Mohammad Rizwan then partnered with Saud, amassing 31 runs before Muthusamy claimed Shakeel’s wicket. Saud managed 38 runs from 53 balls, hitting seven boundaries.

At the tea interval, Salman Agha accompanied Rizwan, who remained not out at 14 off 26 balls, with Pakistan reaching 150-5 in 39.4 overs.

Earlier Overs

Earlier, the hosts experienced an early setback with Imam’s dismissal for a duck, stumped by Kyle Verreynne off Simon Harmer’s delivery in the second over, setting Pakistan at 2-1 in 1.4 overs.

Abdullah Shafique, alongside Shan Masood, made attempts to stabilize the innings, forging a 31-run partnership before Harmer struck once more, removing Shan for seven runs from 17 deliveries, adding more pressure on the home side.

By lunch, Pakistan had reached 36-2 in 11 overs, with Abdullah Shafique remaining unbeaten on 21 and captain Babar Azam on one. The hosts maintained a 145-run lead, aiming to fortify their position in the match.

Earlier, South Africa were all out at 269 in 84 overs, attributed to Noman Ali’s remarkable bowling and significant contributions from Sajid Khan, which handed the team a substantial 109-run lead.

South Africa’s First Innings

In pursuit of Pakistan’s first innings total of 378 runs, South Africa initiated steadily, with openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton successfully facing the Pakistani bowlers before the lunch interval.

Following the interval, Markram—who recently became the 18th South African to achieve 3,000 Test runs—contributed valuable runs in partnership with Rickelton.

However, the partnership was disrupted when Noman Ali dismissed Markram for 20 off 37 balls, positioning the visitors at 45-1 in 11.5 overs.

Wiaan Mulder subsequently partnered with Rickelton, aiding in the development of a steady partnership, elevating the score to 75-1 in 22 overs. This partnership concluded when Noman struck again, removing Mulder for 17 off 41 balls, including three fours.

Tony de Zorzi then entered, experiencing some fortune early on, edging a couple of deliveries past the slips for boundaries. His contribution proved vital as South Africa reached 90-2 in 26 overs.

During the final session, Rickelton showcased prowess, reaching his first Test half-century while assisting de Zorzi in establishing a strong 94-run partnership. De Zorzi also achieved his third Test half-century as the pair guided the Proteas beyond the 150-run mark.

However, their partnership was cut short when Salman Ali Agha dismissed Rickelton for a well-earned 71 off 137 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, leaving South Africa at 174-3 in 50.1 overs.

The momentum then decisively shifted in favor of Pakistan. Tristan Stubbs quickly fell for eight to Noman Ali, who claimed his third wicket. In the following over, Sajid Khan removed Dewald Brevis for a golden duck, reducing South Africa to 193-5 in 56 overs.

Noman sustained his impressive performance, trapping wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne LBW for a mere two runs off 12 balls, securing his fourth wicket of the innings.

Resuming at 216-6 on the third morning, the Proteas quickly lost wickets as Sajid Khan struck twice, removing Senuran Muthusamy for 11 off 34 deliveries, leaving the visitors struggling at 228-7 in 71.4 overs.

Tony de Zorzi, who displayed sublime touch, completed his first Test century, but his fine innings concluded shortly after when Noman Ali dismissed him for a well-compiled 104, consisting of 10 fours and a six.

Simon Harmer and Prenelan Subrayen attempted to add valuable runs for South Africa; however, their resistance was short-lived. Noman struck again to claim his sixth wicket, dismissing Subrayen for just four runs.

The Proteas were ultimately bowled out for 269 in 80 overs when Kagiso Rabada fell to Sajid Khan, who concluded with three wickets.

For Pakistan, Noman Ali recorded brilliant figures of 6-113, while Sajid Khan picked up 3-98, and Salman Ali Agha claimed one wicket.

Batting first in the opening Test, the hosts posted a total of 378 runs in their first innings, thanks to significant contributions from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, both scoring 93, while captain Shan Masood contributed 76 off 147 balls, and Mohammad Rizwan added 75 runs.