Lahore, Oct 15 (NationPress) Pakistan's spin pair of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan delivered an exceptional performance, while Shaheen Shah Afridi sealed the deal as the home team secured a 93-run victory against the World Test Championship (WTC) champions South Africa on the fourth day of the inaugural Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

This triumph not only gave Pakistan a 1-0 advantage in the two-match series but also halted South Africa's impressive 10-Test winning streak, the longest in their history.

While defending a target of 276, Pakistan maintained a firm grip on a pitch that became increasingly challenging for batters. The chase, which had never been accomplished at Gaddafi Stadium, became even more difficult as Pakistan's spinners took full advantage of the sharply deteriorating conditions. Noman Ali claimed his third Test-match 10-wicket haul with his clever variations and relentless precision, while Afridi's late four-wicket display ensured a swift end to the visitors' resistance.

South Africa's hopes briefly ignited through Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton, who defied the difficult circumstances with contrasting styles. Brevis, playing just his third Test, dazzled with a rapid 54 off 54 balls, counterattacking with six fours and two sixes, including a no-look shot over long-on that marked his half-century.

Rickelton, more measured in his approach, scored a resilient 45 off 145 balls, providing stability amid the chaos. However, both fell before lunch, with Noman bowling Brevis with a delivery that spun past his defense, while Sajid dismissed Rickelton with a crafty off-break that found the edge.

By the interval, South Africa was struggling, needing 139 runs with four wickets left, and Pakistan's nerves calmed when Senuran Muthuswamy was trapped lbw shortly after the break. The visitors' middle and lower order only delayed the inevitable, as Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer struggled against the relentless spin.

Although South Africa managed to surpass Pakistan's third-innings total—the first time a fourth innings achieved this since these dry, spin-friendly pitches were introduced—the outcome was never in doubt.

The pivotal moment came when Afridi, who had been relatively quiet throughout the match, re-entered the attack with an older ball on a deteriorating pitch. He immediately found reverse swing, dismissing Verreynne with a fierce inswinger that struck him plumb in front.

With his rhythm restored, Afridi tore through the tail, dismissing Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada with searing yorkers that shattered their stumps, as South Africa was bowled out well short of the target.

Earlier that morning, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs fell in quick succession, reducing South Africa from an overnight 51 for 2 to 55 for 4. Stubbs' attempted reverse sweep off Noman found Salman Agha at slip—his fifth catch of the match—while de Zorzi was beaten through the gate by Afridi's third delivery of the day.

Ultimately, the match was likely decided when Pakistan built a substantial total in the first two sessions of the opening day. South Africa spent the next four sessions trying to recover, but on a pitch designed to deteriorate, Pakistan's spin-led strategy proved unyielding.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 378 & 167 all out in 46.1 overs (Babar Azam 42, Abdullah Shafique 41; Senuran Muthusamy 5-57, Simon Harmer 4-51) defeated South Africa 269 & 183 all out in 50.3 overs (Dewald Brevis 54, Ryan Rickelton 45; Shaheen Afridi 4-33, Noman Ali 4-79) by 93 runs.