Karachi: Pakistan opened their home Test series against South Africa in emphatic fashion, securing a commanding 93-run victory in the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi. A superb all-round bowling performance—highlighted by Noman Ali’s ten-wicket match haul and Shaheen Afridi’s late burst-sealed the win on Day 4 and handed the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Noman Ali Spins Pakistan To Victory
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the star of the show, returning figures of 10 for 191 across both innings. His control and flight tormented the South African batters, who struggled to handle the turning conditions in Karachi. Ali’s performance not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also marked one of the finest spells by a Pakistan spinner in recent years.
Afridi Delivers The Final Blow
Shaheen Shah Afridi complemented Noman’s spin with pace and precision, cleaning up the tail with a fiery 4 for 33. His late breakthroughs ensured there would be no dramatic resistance from South Africa, who were bowled out well short of their 277-run target.
Pakistan Build Early Advantage
Batting first, Pakistan posted a solid 378 in their opening innings, with valuable contributions from the top and middle order. South Africa’s response was anchored by Tony de Zorzi, whose gritty 104 kept his team within striking distance before they were dismissed for 269.
Collapse In Second Innings Nearly Cost Hosts
Pakistan’s second innings was less convincing, as they slipped from a position of control to 167 all out. Their middle order faltered under pressure, losing 11 wickets for just 37 runs across both innings. Despite the collapse, the hosts had enough of a cushion to set South Africa a challenging 277-run target.
South Africa Falter In The Chase
The Proteas’ chase never gained momentum. Despite a fighting half-century from Dewald Brevis (54), Noman Ali’s relentless spin and Afridi’s reverse swing dismantled their resistance. Regular wickets ensured Pakistan stayed on top, and the visitors eventually folded for 183.
Captain Masood Calls For Consistency
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood praised his team’s resilience but urged the batting unit to show more consistency ahead of the second Test. “We showed character with the ball, but we need to capitalize better when we get set with the bat,” Masood said at the post-match presentation.
What’s Next
The second and final Test will be played in Rawalpindi later this week. Pakistan will look to seal the series, while South Africa will aim to bounce back and level it. With both teams eyeing valuable World Test Championship points, another hard-fought encounter is on the cards.
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