Pakistan Halts South Africa's 10-match Unbeaten Run.
The left-arm pacer secured a quartet of wickets in the final innings following failing to take a wicket in the first innings.
First Test, Lahore (day four)
Pakistan 378 (Imam 93, Agha 93; Senuran Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar Azam 42; Muthusamy 5-57)
South Africa 269 (De Zorzi 104; Noman Ali 6-112) & 183 (Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman 4-79)
Pakistan won by 93 runs
Pakistan terminated the reigning champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run margin victory in an entertaining and competitive first Test in the city of Lahore.
The Proteas, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket culminated in a win against the Aussies in the WTC final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.
Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of century-maker De Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in the home team's favor.
Left-arm spinner Noman, who secured 10 wickets for 191 runs in the game, removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.
Off-spinner Sajid also took advantage of significant spin to terminate opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Afridi returned in the afternoon session to dismiss the tail with a fine display of reverse-swing bowling.
He had Verreynne leg before for nineteen and bowled Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the win.
It was each team's opening game of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and propels Pakistan directly into the number two spot after leaders Australia.
Their victory was built around key performances of 93 by opener Imam and, crucially, all-rounder Agha which boosted them to 378.
From there slow bowlers Noman and Sajid took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over the English team the previous year, to sustain their lead.
The second and last match begins on 20 October.
