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The national team terminated the reigning champions South Africa's unbeaten run by completing a 93-run margin victory in an thrilling and closely contested first Test in Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-Test winning streak in the longest format ended with victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Starting the day on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of century-maker De Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the finely-poised chase in the home team's favour.

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

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on sharp turn to end opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's stay - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the afternoon session to dismiss the lower order with a fine display of reverse swing.

He trapped Kyle Verreynne leg before for nineteen and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Rabada to seal the victory.

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and propels the hosts directly into second place behind table-toppers the Australian team.

Their victory was founded on contributions of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam and, crucially, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to 378.

After that spinners Noman and Sajid took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to sustain their advantage.

The second and last match begins on 20 October.