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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 hard-fought opening Test in the city of Lahore.

South Africa, whose 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket culminated in a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Starting the day on 51-2, they saw the dismissal of first-innings centurion De Zorzi leg before wicket to pace bowler Afridi to the third ball of the day to push the finely-poised chase in the home team's favor.

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

Right-arm spinner Sajid also capitalized on sharp turn to end opening batsman Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 balls for 45 - and Afridi returned in the afternoon session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for nineteen and dismissed Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the win.

It was both sides' first match of the 2025-2027 Test championship cycle and moves the hosts directly into the number two spot after table-toppers the Australian team.

The win was founded on key performances of 93 by opener Imam and, crucially, all-rounder Agha which lifted them to 378.

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

The next and final Test starts on October 20.