PAK vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa in search of record in Lahore; Pakistan needs eight more wickets | Cricket News
The opening Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore reached an exciting phase on the third day, with spinners Noman Ali and Senuran Muthusamy dominating proceedings.Muthusamy took his maiden 10-wicket haul, restricting Pakistan to 167 in their second innings. This set South Africa a target of 277 runs for victory.Noman Ali continued his impressive form by dismissing South Africa captain Aiden Markram for three and Wiaan Mulder for nil. The visitors finished the day at 51-2.Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi remained unbeaten at 29 and 16 respectively, with South Africa needing another 226 runs. Pakistan need eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.The spin duo of Noman and Sajid Khan gives Pakistan a solid advantage. Muthusamy recorded figures of 5-57, adding to his first innings of 6-117, while Simon Harmer claimed 4-51.Pakistan’s batting collapsed after losing their last six wickets for just 17 runs. The team was well positioned at 150-4 before Saud Shakeel’s dismissal for 38 triggered the collapse.Harmer removed Mohammad Rizwan for 14, followed by quick strikes from Muthusamy. He dismissed Salman Agha, Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi in quick succession, finishing with match figures of 11-174.South Africa’s first innings ended at 269, trailing Pakistan’s 378 by 109 runs. Noman Ali got his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests with figures of 6-112.On the turning pitch of the Gaddafi Stadium, Harmer opened the bowling in Pakistan’s second innings. He quickly dismissed Imam-ul-Haq and captain Shan Masood for minimal scores.Muthusamy then dismissed Abdullah Shafique for 41, while Kagiso Rabada took the wicket of Babar Azam for 42. Azam’s century drought now extends to 28 Test innings since December 2022.De Zorzi, who started the day at 81, reached his second Test century with an aggressive play against Noman. His 104 innings included 10 fours and two sixes before he was caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi.Noman bowled 35 overs and also dismissed Prenelan Subrayen for four. Sajid Khan chipped in by removing Muthusamy for 11 and Rabada for nil, finishing with figures of 3-98 from 33 overs.
