Noman Ali celebrates after taking the wicket of South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi (L) in the course of the third day of the primary Check cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 14, 2025. – AFP
LAHORE: Spinner Noman Ali struck twice as South Africa ended Day 3 at 51/2 within the first Check of the two-match sequence on the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.
The guests had been set a 277-run goal after they bowled out Pakistan for 167 in 46.1 overs of their second innings.
The Proteas suffered an early setback when captain Aiden Markram was dismissed by Ali for simply three runs off 11 balls, leaving the crew at 13-1 in 5.5 overs.
He struck once more shortly after, eradicating Wiaan Mulder for a duck, making use of additional stress on the guests.
Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi steadied the innings, placing on a 33-run partnership for the third wicket.
At stumps, South Africa had been in an honest place with Rickelton unbeaten on 29 off 76 balls and De Zorzi on 16 off 44 deliveries.
Earlier, Pakistan misplaced seven wickets in fast succession to break down from 150-4 to 167 all out.
Resuming at 36/2 after lunch, Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam added 31 runs earlier than Senuran Muthusamy dismissed the previous for 41.
Babar Azam steadied the innings, steering the crew previous the 200-run mark and elevating a 50-run stand with Saud Shakeel. Nevertheless, South Africa regained management when Kagiso Rabada struck to take away Babar for 42, lowering Pakistan to 119-4.
Saud contributed 38 earlier than falling to Muthusamy, who continued to hassle the center order. At tea, Pakistan had been 150-5 with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on 14.
Quickly after Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Agha, Nauman Ali additionally fell rapidly with out scoring many runs because the hosts had been bowled out for 167.
Muthusamy picked up 5 wickets for 57 runs whereas Simon Harmer completed with a determine of 4/51. Rabada additionally took a wicket of Babar.
After bowling out South Africa for 269, the hosts started their second innings contained in the morning session and suffered an early setback when Imam-ul-Haq fell for a duck to Simon Harmer with the rating at simply two.
Shan Masood (7) then joined Abdullah Shafique to sew a quick 31-run partnership earlier than additionally falling to Harmer.
Tony de Zorzi (104) stood out with a composed century, exhibiting grit towards Pakistan’s spin assault, whereas Ryan Rickelton added a strong 71 earlier than the guests bowled out for 269.
For Pakistan, Ali starred with figures of 6 for 112, supported by Sajid Khan, who took three wickets, and Salman Agha, who chipped in with one.
On Day 2, Pakistan collapsed from 352-5 to bundle out for 378 runs, courtesy of an distinctive spell from left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy, who registered his career-best figures in Check cricket.
Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha made 93 every whereas Muthusamy completed with spectacular figures of 6 for 117 in 32 overs.
In pursuit of Pakistan’s 378-run first-innings complete, South Africa obtained off to an honest begin as openers Aiden Markram and Rickelton negotiated the Pakistani bowling assault earlier than lunch on Day 2.
After the break, Markram added worthwhile runs alongside Rickelton earlier than the partnership was damaged when Ali dismissed the previous to depart South Africa at 45-1.
Wiaan Mulder then joined Rickelton and constructed a 35-run partnership earlier than their stand ended when Noman struck once more, eradicating the right-hander for 17.
De Zorzi walked in subsequent and, together with Rickelto, continued to use stress on Pakistan, discovering boundaries as they gained confidence.
The 94-run stand was damaged when Salman Ali Agha eliminated Rickelton, who performed an important knock of 71. Regardless of dropping companions, de Zorzi continued to indicate his class and went on to develop into the highest scorer of the match to this point.
