Skipper Shan Stresses Focus After South Africa Victory

Pakistan’s men’s Test captain Shan Masood emphasized the need for consistency after his side’s impressive 93-run victory over South Africa in the first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory not only gave Pakistan an ideal start in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle but also showcased the team’s growing balance between spin and pace.

Noman Ali Stars in Pakistan’s Thrilling Win

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the hero of the match, dismantling South Africa with his superb bowling figures. Pakistan, defending a target of 277 runs, bowled out the visitors for 183 on day four to seal a thrilling win.

Noman took 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match  his third 10-wicket haul in Tests  as the Proteas struggled against his turn and accuracy on a deteriorating pitch. His second-innings figures of 4-79 highlighted his crucial role in Pakistan’s spin-friendly conditions.

Shan Masood: “Consistency Is the Real Challenge”

Speaking after the match, skipper Shan Masood praised his side but cautioned against complacency.

“We are playing good cricket against quality oppositions, but the challenge is to consistently perform and win against top teams,” Shan said during the post-match conference.

He added that while Pakistan executed their plans well, there were still areas for improvement, especially in the middle order.

“We lost 11-37 across two innings, which is not good. We must overcome that weakness if we want to dominate stronger sides,” the captain remarked.

Shaheen Afridi’s Fiery Spell Seals the Game

While Noman Ali spun Pakistan to victory, Shaheen Shah Afridi provided the finishing touches with a fiery spell on the final morning.

After a quiet start in the match, Shaheen found his rhythm and produced a stunning performance, claiming 4 wickets for 33 runs. His dismissal of Tony de Zorzi, trapped lbw by a sharp in-swinger, set the tone for Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Shan Masood hailed Afridi’s comeback: “Shaheen showed why he is counted among the top bowlers in the world. His spell turned the match in our favor.”

Pakistan’s Innings

Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378 gave them a strong platform, thanks to a crucial 163-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha for the sixth wicket.

South Africa responded with 269, leaving Pakistan a 109-run lead. However, the hosts faltered in their second innings, collapsing for 167 on a spinning track. Despite the wobble, the lead proved more than enough as Pakistan’s bowlers finished the job.

Shan acknowledged the challenge of playing on turning pitches, saying the conditions allowed room for errors at home  but not in away tours.

“We made mistakes, and while home conditions help you recover, the same won’t be the case abroad,” he noted.

South Africa’s Resistance Falls Short

The defeat ended South Africa’s impressive run of ten consecutive Test wins, including their WTC title triumph earlier this year against Australia at Lord’s.

Captain Aiden Markram admitted that the first-innings deficit was a key factor in their defeat.

“They had a good partnership when we had them five down. That 109-run deficit was crucial,” Markram said.

Despite the loss, Markram praised his team’s fight but stressed the need for improvement.

“We need to clean up our game and come back stronger in the next match,” he added.

Brevis Shines but Falls to Noman’s Magic

South African youngster Dewald Brevis provided some resistance in the final innings, scoring an aggressive 54 off 66 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. However, his counterattack ended when Noman bowled him with a sharply turning delivery that clipped the off stump.

Earlier, Shaheen struck in the first over of the day, trapping Tony de Zorzi lbw for 16.
Tristan Stubbs, attempting a reverse sweep off Noman, was caught at short point, while Ryan Rickelton’s gritty 45 ended when Sajid Khan broke through just before lunch.

Team Effort Behind Pakistan’s Victory

Pakistan’s win was a result of contributions from both departments spin and pace  along with moments of resilience from the batters.
The spinners exploited the turning surface effectively, while the reverse swing in the later stages helped the fast bowlers dismantle the tail.

“The spinners did their job, the pacers used the reverse swing well, and the batters played crucial roles — but we must be more consistent,” Shan said.

The captain highlighted that Pakistan’s middle-order collapses remain a concern that needs addressing ahead of the next Test.

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Looking Ahead

With a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, Pakistan now heads to Rawalpindi for the second and final Test starting Monday. A win there would not only seal the series but also provide a strong start in the World Test Championship standings.

Shan Masood’s focus will be on maintaining the winning momentum while addressing batting inconsistencies. For South Africa, the upcoming Test will be about regrouping and fighting back to level the series.

Score Summary

Team	1st Innings	2nd Innings	Total / Result
Pakistan	378	167	Won by 93 runs
South Africa	269	183	Lost by 93 runs

Top Performers:

• Noman Ali: 10-191 (Match figures)
• Shaheen Afridi: 4-33 (2nd innings)
• Mohammad Rizwan & Salman Agha: 163-run partnership
• Dewald Brevis (SA): 54 runs

Pakistan’s victory against South Africa marked a positive start to the new World Test Championship cycle. With Noman Ali’s brilliance, Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell, and Shan Masood’s leadership, the team looks well-balanced — but the skipper’s words serve as a reminder that consistency is the key to long-term success.

The Green Shirts will aim to build on this momentum in Rawalpindi, while South Africa will look for redemption. Either way, cricket fans can expect another enthralling contest between two highly competitive sides.