Pakistan Halts South Africa's 10-Test Victory Run.
Shaheen Afridi secured a quartet of wickets in the final innings following going wicketless in the initial innings.
Opening Test, the Gaddafi Stadium (day four)
The home side 378 (Imam 93, Salman Agha 93; Muthusamy 6-117) & 167 (Babar 42; Muthusamy 5-57)
South Africa 269 (De Zorzi 104; Noman 6-112) & 183 (Dewald Brevis 54; Shaheen 4-33, Noman Ali 4-79)
Pakistan won by 93 runs
The national team terminated the reigning champions the Proteas' winning streak by completing a 93-run margin victory in an thrilling and hard-fought first Test in the city of Lahore.
South Africa, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in the longest format culminated in a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.
Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion Tony de Zorzi lbw to pace bowler Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced run chase in Pakistan's favour.
Slow left-armer Noman, who secured 10-191 in the game, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a rapid 54.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of sharp turn to end opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Shaheen returned in the afternoon session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.
He trapped Verreynne leg before for nineteen and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Rabada to secure the win.
It was both sides' opening game of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and propels the hosts straight into the number two spot behind table-toppers the Australian team.
Their victory was built around key performances of ninety-three by opener Imam and, importantly, number seven Salman Agha which boosted them to 378.
From there spinners Noman Ali and Sajid utilized favourable home conditions, as they had in their series victory over the English team last year, to maintain their advantage.
The second and last match starts on October 20.