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The national team terminated the reigning champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run margin victory in an exciting and closely contested first Test in Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-match winning streak in the longest format ended with victory over the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.

Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of century-maker De Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in the home team's favour.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who secured 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match, removed Stubbs for 2 and bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of sharp turn to end opener Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 balls for 45 - and Afridi came back in the afternoon session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He had Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to seal the victory.

It was each team's first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and moves Pakistan directly into second place after leaders the Australian team.

Their victory was founded on key performances of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, number seven Agha which boosted them to 378.

After that slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid utilized helpful home pitches, as they had in their Test series win over England the previous year, to sustain their lead.

The second and last match starts on October 20.