PAK VS SA 1ST TEST

That concludes a commanding performance from Pakistan, who secure a dominant victory in the 1st Test to take a crucial lead in the series. The focus now shifts to the 2nd Test between these two sides, with the action set to resume on Monday, October 20th, at 5 am GMT. Be sure to join us for all the early pitch report and team news build-up. Until next time, it's goodbye from us. Cheers!

Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan, starts by crediting the Proteas' effort, adds that they came back a lot of times in the game, but appreciates how his bowlers bowled today. Admits they have played in more docile conditions and have produced plenty of exceptional seamers. Reckons there are plenty of encouraging signs with the squad they have. Tells they are happy to start off with a win and that too against the reigning champions.

Aiden Markram, the skipper of South Africa, says there were good moments in the past few days but they have to learn from this game and come back stronger. Mentions there were a few moments where they could have capitalized, and feels they could have done better in the first innings. Admits Senuran Muthusamy works hard behind the scenes and is reaping rewards. Reckons they have a nice, balanced team, but will see how the pitch is in the next game and change accordingly.

Noman Ali wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says he changed his tactics depending on the batter or the situation. Tells he bowls according to the conditions and tries to stay consistent with the line and length. Mentions he has been working hard for the past 6-8 months. Feels Dewald Brevis' wicket was important and he celebrated because it was his 10th wicket in the game.

...Presentation...

Pakistan continued with their dominance at the start of Day 4 as well. The speedster Shaheen Afridi struck with the third ball of the day, trapping Tony de Zorzi plumb to give Pakistan the early advantage. Spinner Noman Ali then joined the party, quickly removing Tristan Stubbs. A scintillating counter-attack by young Dewald Brevis, who hammered a quick-fire 54, offered a glimmer of hope for South Africa, only for Noman Ali to castle him just when he looked dangerous. The final nail in the coffin came from Sajid Khan right before lunch, ending Ryan Rickelton's gritty 45. South Africa were reeling at 137/6 at the end of the morning session. However, with the loss of their top order, it was a matter of when the innings folded rather than if. South Africa showed glimpses of staying in the game but lost the crucial moments.

Despite decent starts from Babar Azam and others, Pakistan folded for a low score of 167, having set South Africa an achievable chase of 277 runs to win the Test. Coming to chase 277 at the end of Day 3, left-arm spinner Noman Ali picked two crucial wickets of Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder early on, leaving the visitors in a precarious position at 18/2.

However, the momentum proved fleeting and utterly reversible. Pakistan’s second innings was a spectacular disaster. It was a classic example of how quickly a cricket match can turn. The South African spinners, fresh off their first-innings success, were simply irresistible. The familiar face of Senuran Muthusamy proved to be the chief executioner once more, bagging an astonishing 5/57 to complete a phenomenal 10-wicket match haul. With solid support from Simon Harmer (4/51), the batting line-up dissolved in a sensational collapse, losing five wickets for just 17 runs in the final session of the Moving Day.

Crucially, though, Pakistan's own spin twins, led by Noman Ali with his six wickets, hit back hard, dismantling the South African line-up, which revolved around Tony de Zorzi's superb century. This effort secured a crucial 109-run first-innings lead, putting Pakistan firmly in the driver's seat.

This Test match has been a rollercoaster ride for Pakistan. They started with promise, posting 378 in the first innings, despite the heartbreak of both Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha missing well-deserved centuries. The innings ended in a rush of blood, largely thanks to a spectacular first-innings collapse orchestrated by South Africa's spinner Senuran Muthusamy with his six wickets!

Shaheen Afridi's exceptional performance today was a highlight, despite the spinners' dominance. Shan Masood's surprise decision to start with Afridi set the tone, and he delivered, bowling with pace and aggression. His four-wicket haul helped Pakistan take the lead, making him a key factor in the home team's dominance. Well, that was about today. Let's recap how the game unfolded right from the start.

The reigning World Test Champions, South Africa, start the new cycle on the wrong note. An exceptional performance from Pakistan have outdone the Proteas. On a rank-turner, their spinners stepped up. Noman Ali, particularly, showed what consistency can do. A 10-wicket haul has helped Pakistan go 1-0 up in the 2-match series.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Kagiso Rabada gets a taste of his own medicine. Shaheen Afridi keeps it very full and gets it to swing back in sharply from the middle pole. Kagiso Rabada plays the wrong line, tries to defend but is undone by the movement and it crashes the leg pole. Pakistan win by 93 runs.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Kagiso Rabada gets a taste of his own medicine. Shaheen Afridi keeps it very full and gets it to swing back in sharply from the middle pole. Kagiso Rabada plays the wrong line, tries to defend but is undone by the movement and it crashes the leg pole. Pakistan win by 93 runs.

Bowls a yorker-length delivery, shaping on leg, Kagiso Rabada digs it out off the inside edge onto the pads. Shaheen Afridi appeals but he knew there was an edge.

DRINKS! Just the one wicket left for Pakistan to close the game. It has been a phenomenal performance from them so far. Can Kagiso Rabada survive and stretch the unavoidable outcome?

OUT! BOWLED! Shaheen Afridi is cleaning up the tail quickly! Serves a fuller length delivery with an angle, it lands and shapes away. Subrayen is squared up, tries to defend in front of his pads but misses by a long way and it crashes the stumps.

OUT! BOWLED! Shaheen Afridi is cleaning up the tail quickly! Serves a fuller length delivery with an angle, it lands and shapes away. Subrayen is squared up, tries to defend in front of his pads but misses by a long way and it crashes the stumps.