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Pakistan terminated the reigning champions South Africa's unbeaten run by achieving a 93-run margin triumph in an entertaining and competitive opening Test in Lahore.

South Africa, who had a 10-Test winning streak in the longest format ended with a win against Australia in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 chasing 277.

Having resumed on 51-2, they lost first-innings centurion De Zorzi lbw to left-arm quick Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the finely-poised run chase in the home team's favour.

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

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on significant spin to terminate opener Ryan Rickelton's innings - he faced 145 deliveries for 45 - and Afridi returned in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a fine display of reverse swing.

He had Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Rabada to seal the win.

It was both sides' opening game of the 2025-27 Test championship cycle and propels the hosts straight into second place behind table-toppers the Australian team.

The win was built around key performances of 93 by opener Imam and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which lifted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that slow bowlers Noman and Sajid Khan took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they had in their series victory over the English team the previous year, to sustain their advantage.

The second and last match begins on October 20.