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Pakistan terminated the reigning champions South Africa's unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin triumph in an entertaining and closely contested first Test in the city of Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket ended with victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Having resumed on 51 for two, they saw the dismissal of century-maker De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to push the tightly balanced run chase in the home team's favour.

Slow left-armer Noman, who took 10-191 in the match, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and bowled Dewald Brevis, who offered some resistance with a run-a-ball 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also took advantage of sharp turn to end opener Ryan Rickelton's stay - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 runs - and Shaheen returned in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

He trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and bowled Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.

It was each team's first match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and propels Pakistan directly into second place behind leaders the Australian team.

The win was built around key performances of ninety-three by opener Imam-ul-Haq and, crucially, number seven Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to maintain their advantage.

The second and final Test begins on 20 October.