Proteas Fall Short in Lahore as Pakistan End 10-Test Winning Streak

Lahore, Pakistan — South Africa’s proud run of 10 consecutive Test victories came to an end in Lahore on Wednesday, as Pakistan sealed a hard-fought 93-run win on the fourth day of the opening Test at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Facing a record chase of 277 on a deteriorating surface, the Proteas showed early fight through Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton, but a relentless combination of spin and reverse swing eventually proved decisive. Pakistan’s Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi shared eight wickets to close out a match that had been competitive throughout but ultimately tilted Pakistan’s way.

Brevis and Rickelton Lead Brief Resistance

Resuming at 51 for 2, South Africa’s hopes rested on Tony de Zorzi and first-innings centurion Ryan Rickelton. However, de Zorzi was trapped leg-before by Afridi with just the third ball of the morning, and Tristan Stubbs soon followed, falling to a sharp catch at slip off Noman.

That brought Brevis to the crease — and for a brief spell, the 22-year-old lit up the Lahore morning. Mixing aggression with confidence, he struck six boundaries and two towering sixes, including a remarkable no-look hit over long-on to bring up his maiden Test half-century. His run-a-ball 54 offered a glimpse of the future of South African batting, fearless even in foreign conditions.

But the young right-hander’s counterattack was halted by a superb delivery from Noman that turned sharply from leg to clip the top of off stump — a ball that would have undone most batters. Rickelton, who had anchored the innings with patience for 45, was later caught low in the slips off Sajid Khan, and with that, Pakistan regained full control.

Afridi Finishes the Job

Once the spinners had prised open the middle order, Afridi returned with the old ball to deliver a devastating burst. He trapped Kyle Verreynne in front with a reverse-swinging yorker before cleaning up Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada in quick succession. His 4-33 complemented Noman’s 4-79, while offspinner Sajid chipped in with two wickets to complete the job just after lunch.

For Pakistan, Noman’s 10 wickets in the match — his third such haul in just 21 Tests — underscored his status as one of the most effective spinners in subcontinental conditions. At 39, his late-career renaissance continues to be a remarkable story.

Proteas Left to Regroup

Despite the loss, South Africa can take heart from their fight over four days. Senuran Muthusamy’s five-wicket haul in the first innings and Brevis’s fearless knock in the second were bright spots in a match dominated by spin and attrition. However, the visitors will rue the inability to build substantial partnerships — a familiar challenge on the subcontinent.

Captain Aiden Markram and his side will now look to regroup ahead of the second Test, knowing that a response will be needed to maintain their strong position in the World Test Championship race.

For now, though, the Proteas’ impressive streak is over — undone by Pakistan’s mastery of home conditions and the enduring magic of spin.