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LAHORE: Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi steered Pakistan to a dominant 93-run victory over South Africa in the first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Chasing 277 for victory, South Africa’s hopes faded under relentless pressure as they were bowled out for 183 on the fourth day. Both Noman and Shaheen claimed four wickets apiece, ensuring Pakistan wrapped up the game before tea.
The visitors began the morning on shaky ground, and things only worsened when Shaheen Afridi struck with the third delivery of the day, removing Tony de Zorzi for 16 to give Pakistan an early breakthrough.
Noman Ali, who had already been Pakistan’s standout spinner throughout the match, continued his fine form by dismissing Tristan Stubbs for just two, tightening the screws further.
A brief resistance came from Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton, who added 50 runs for the fifth wicket to take South Africa past the 100-run mark.
Brevis, showing character after a first-innings duck, struck a fluent 54 off 54 balls, including some confident strokes to keep the chase alive.
However, Noman broke the stand by removing Brevis at a crucial juncture, while Sajid Khan soon followed up by dismissing Rickelton for 41 off 73 balls, ending South Africa’s last real fightback.
At 137-6 by lunch, the Proteas were still 140 runs short of the target, with Kyle Verreynne (3) and Senuran Muthusamy (3) at the crease.
The pair offered little resistance after the break as Muthusamy fell prey to Sajid Khan, scoring a mere six runs.
Simon Harmer joined Verreynne, and they added 29 runs for the eighth wicket but could not stand a chance against Pakistan’s bowlers.
Shaheen Afridi came back onto the attack and took the remaining three wickets to seal Pakistan’s emphatic victory.
Verreynne departed after scoring 19 runs, while Prenelan Subrayen (8) and Kagiso Rabada (0) were Shaheen’s other victims. Harmer remained unbeaten for 14.
Other than Shaheen and Noman’s four-wicket hauls, Sajid Khan claimed two wickets for Pakistan.
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