PAK vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa in pursuit of record chase in Lahore; Pakistan require eight more wickets | Cricket News
The opening Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore reached an exciting phase on day three, with spinners Noman Ali and Senuran Muthusamy dominating the proceedings.Muthusamy achieved his first 10-wicket match 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 African captain Aiden Markram for three runs and Wiaan Mulder for zero. The visitors ended the day at 51-2.Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi remained unbeaten at 29 and 16 respectively, with South Africa requiring 226 more runs. Pakistan needs eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.The spin duo of Noman and Sajid Khan gives Pakistan a strong advantage. Muthusamy recorded figures of 5-57, adding to his first innings 6-117, while Simon Harmer claimed 4-51.Pakistan’s batting collapsed as they lost 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 Muthusamy’s quick strikes. 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 secured his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests with figures of 6-112.On the turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch, Harmer opened the bowling in Pakistan’s second innings. He quickly removed Imam-ul-Haq and captain Shan Masood for minimal scores.Muthusamy then dismissed Abdullah Shafique for 41, while Kagiso Rabada took Babar Azam’s wicket for 42. Azam’s century drought has now extended to 28 Test innings since December 2022.De Zorzi, who started the day at 81, reached his second Test century with aggressive play against Noman. His innings of 104 included 10 fours and two sixes before being caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi.Noman bowled 35 overs and also dismissed Prenelan Subrayen for four. Sajid Khan contributed by removing Muthusamy for 11 and Rabada for zero, finishing with figures of 3-98 from 33 overs.
