Lahore: Pakistan’s cricket team has surged to the second position in the World Test Championship standings following a decisive 93-run victory against South Africa in Lahore. The win marked a strong start to the two-Test series for the Shan Masood-led side, propelling them past Bangladesh, England, India, and Sri Lanka in the standings.
The victory in the opening match of the 2025/27 cycle earned Pakistan 12 points and a perfect 100 PCT, placing them just behind 2023 champions Australia, who remain at the top with three wins from three matches.
Reflecting on the win, Pakistan captain Shan Masood emphasized the importance of starting the championship cycle on a strong note, particularly against the defending champions. “We are very excited to be back home, to be playing Test cricket, and to start off with a win,” Masood stated.
Pakistan’s first innings score of 378 was bolstered by significant contributions from Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Agha, both scoring 93 runs, along with Masood and Mohammad Rizwan, who added 76 and 75 runs respectively. In response, South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi scored a resilient 104, supported by Ryan Rickelton’s 71, but the team fell short.
Noman Ali’s six-wicket haul played a crucial role in giving Pakistan a 109-run first-innings lead. Although South Africa’s bowlers, Senuran Muthusamy and Simon Harmer, responded with impressive figures in Pakistan’s second innings, the hosts set a target of 277.
South Africa’s chase faltered as Noman Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi each took four wickets, dismissing the visitors for 167 and securing the win for Pakistan.
The teams will meet again for the series decider on October 20 in Rawalpindi.