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Pakistan terminated the reigning champions the Proteas' winning streak by sealing a 93-run margin win in an thrilling and hard-fought opening Test in Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in the longest format ended with a win against the Aussies in the WTC final in June, were dismissed for 183 chasing 277.

Starting the day on 51-2, they saw the dismissal of century-maker De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the tightly balanced chase in the home team's favor.

Left-arm spinner Noman, who took 10-191 in the match, removed Tristan Stubbs for 2 and clean bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a rapid 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on sharp turn to terminate opener Ryan Rickelton's stay - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Afridi returned in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a fine display of reverse swing.

He trapped Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Rabada to seal the win.

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

The win was built around contributions of 93 by opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and, importantly, number seven Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that slow bowlers Noman Ali and Sajid took advantage of favourable home conditions, as they did in their Test series win over the English team last year, to maintain their advantage.

The next and last match starts on 20 October.