Noman Dominates with Six Wickets as Pakistan Secures Significant Lead Over South Africa in First Cricket Test
In a thrilling encounter at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Noman Ali’s exceptional performance with the ball helped Pakistan establish a substantial lead over South Africa in the first Test. As of the end of Day 3, South Africa was 51 runs for 2 wickets, chasing an unprecedented target of 277 runs to win.
Noman Dominates with Six Wickets
Noman Ali, Pakistan’s 39-year-old spinner, dominated the South African batting lineup, securing six wickets for 112 runs. This achievement marked his ninth five-wicket haul in just 20 Test matches, making him the most successful left-arm spinner in Pakistan’s Test history.
Match Progression
- South Africa’s first innings: 269 all out
- Pakistan’s first innings: 167 all out
- South Africa’s second innings: 51 runs for 2 wickets
- Target set for South Africa: 277 runs
During the match, 16 wickets fell, as spinners thrived on a dry pitch with unpredictable bounce. South Africa initially secured a lead, but Pakistan’s bowlers responded strongly, beginning with the early dismissal of the Proteas, who managed only 53 runs beyond their overnight score of 216.
Key Players’ Contributions
South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi emerged as the highest scorer in their second innings, finishing the day at 16 runs. In the first innings, he scored an impressive 104 runs off 171 balls, helping his team recover from a precarious position.
- De Zorzi’s milestone: 104 runs, including 10 fours and 2 sixes
- Pakistan’s top scorer: Babar Azam with 42 runs
- Sajid Khan’s performance: 3 wickets for 98 runs
Though Babar Azam struggled initially, he found form, hitting four boundaries off spinner Senuran Muthusamy. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the team faced a sudden collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 17 runs, leading to their all-out score of 167.
Bowling Highlights
Muthusamy played a crucial role for South Africa, taking 5 wickets for 57 runs in the innings. His outstanding performance contributed to a match haul of 11 wickets for 174 runs, ranking among the top figures for a South African spinner in Test history.
Other notable contributions from South Africa’s bowling attack included Simon Harmer, who took 4 wickets for 51 runs. The match remains intense as both teams vie for victory, with South Africa needing to chase down a challenging target on an unpredictable pitch.
