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The national team brought an end to the reigning champions South Africa's unbeaten run by completing a 93-run margin victory in an thrilling and hard-fought first Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-match unbeaten run in the longest format culminated in victory over Australia in the WTC final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Starting the day on 51-2, they saw the dismissal of century-maker Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in Pakistan's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman, who secured 10-191 in the match, removed Stubbs for 2 and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a rapid 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid also took advantage of significant spin to end opening batsman Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a fine display of reverse-swing bowling.

He had Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Rabada to secure the win.

It was each team's opening game of the 2025-2027 Test championship cycle and moves Pakistan directly into second place behind table-toppers Australia.

The win was founded on contributions of ninety-three by opener Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, number seven Agha which lifted them to 378.

From there slow bowlers Noman and Sajid took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over the English team the previous year, to sustain their advantage.

The second and last match begins on October 20.