LAHORE: Left-arm spinner Noman Ali’s four-wicket burst put Pakistan firmly in control of the first Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Monday, despite a spirited, unbeaten 81 from Tony de Zorzi that held the tourists’ innings together on a day dominated by spinners.

All 11 wickets to fall on the second day were claimed by slow bowlers as the surface — already showing signs of wear with widening cracks — continued to assist turn and grip. Pakistan ended the day strongly placed, with South Africa struggling at 216-6, still 162 runs short of Pakistan’s first-innings total of 378.

De Zorzi was holding the fort at stumps, having faced 140 balls and striking nine boundaries and a six, while his partner Senuran Muthusamy — who earlier produced a career-best 6-117 — was not out on six.

“Our aim is to bowl South Africa out as early as possible and take a lead of around 100 runs,” Noman said after the day’s close. “The pitch is beginning to keep low and is not easy to bat on. It will offer even more assistance to spinners over the next two days.”

Pakistan resumed their first innings from a commanding 313-5, with Mohammad Rizwan on 62 and Salman Ali Agha unbeaten on 52. The pair quickly extended the stand to 163, frustrating the South African bowlers and taking the total to 362 in the first hour.

However, the day soon turned on its head as Muthusamy, bowling left-arm orthodox, triggered a stunning collapse that saw Pakistan lose their last five wickets for just 16 runs in a span of under half an hour.

Muthusamy deceived Rizwan with sharp turn and bounce, forcing an outside edge to wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne. Rizwan’s dismissal for 75 off 167 balls (two fours and two sixes) ended a vital stand that had rescued Pakistan from 199-5 the previous evening.

Muthusamy then struck twice more in the same over — first Noman was bowled playing down the wrong line, and Sajid Khan followed for a first-ball duck, caught smartly in the slips — to complete a sensational over and a three-wicket burst in four balls.

Shaheen Shah Afridi hung around briefly but was bowled by Muthusamy attempting a defensive prod, giving the spinner his sixth wicket of the innings.

Salman, batting with composure and intent, was left stranded as partners fell at the other end. After facing 145 balls for his 93 — featuring five boundaries and three sixes — he fell attempting to reach his century with a big shot off off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen, only to be caught near midwicket by Muthusamy.

“It’s not easy to get six wickets at this level, it’s always hard work,” Muthusamy said. “The wicket was helpful, and I’m happy to contribute. The key now is to build a long partnership with Tony tomorrow.”

South Africa began their reply cautiously, with captain Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton negotiating Pakistan’s new-ball attack, led by Shaheen, before Noman was introduced as early as the third over. After two overs, off-spinner Sajid replaced Shaheen, signalling Pakistan’s strategy to exploit the spin-friendly surface.

The visitors went to lunch at 10 without loss and appeared settled after the interval as the openers took the score to 45. However, Nauman broke through by having Markram (20) caught brilliantly by wicket-keeper Rizwan. The South African skipper had earlier survived a close call via DRS two balls earlier.

Wiaan Mulder joined Rickelton and adopted a steady approach, collecting singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking. The pair added 35 before Nauman struck again, tempting Mulder (17) into an ambitious drive that found an edge to Rizwan.

South Africa’s consolidation came through Rickelton and de Zorzi, who combined to add a valuable 94-run stand for the third wicket.

Rickelton, batting confidently, reached his maiden Test half-century off 108 balls. De Zorzi matched his partner’s patience, reaching his fifty off 64 balls.

The duo took South Africa to 112-2 at tea, appearing well set to challenge Pakistan’s total. However, post-tea, Pakistan clawed back dramatically.

Rickelton and de Zorzi had just completed their 50-run partnership when Rickelton lifted Nauman for a six over long-on and struck another boundary to reach 150.

But the introduction of Salman’s off-spin turned the tide once more. With the total at 174, Salman produced a sharply turning delivery that found Rickelton’s outside edge, and Babar Azam held a low catch at first slip. Rickelton departed for a well-made 71 off 137 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes.

From there, wickets tumbled in clusters. Tristan Stubbs (eight) was caught behind off Noman. On the very next ball, Dewald Brevis fell leg-before to Sajid Khan without scoring — South Africa suddenly slumping to 193 for five.

At 200, Pakistan struck again as Kyle Verreynne (two) was trapped in front by Noman.

“We bowl in partnership, when Sajid performs, I back him up, and when I get wickets, he supports me. Today’s teamwork helped us make inroads after tea,” Noman said.

A brief review drama followed when Pakistan unsuccessfully challenged an lbw decision against de Zorzi, losing their final review in the process.

De Zorzi, though surviving some nervous moments, held firm in an otherwise crumbling lin-eup, showcasing disciplined defence and astute shot selection.

Scoreboard

PAKISTAN (1st Innings, overnight 313-5)

Abdullah Shafique lbw Rabada 2

Imam ul-Haq c de Zorzi b Muthusamy 93

Shan Masood lbw Subrayen 76

Babar Azam lbw Harmer 23

Saud Shakeel c&b Muthusamy 0

Mohammad Rizwan c Verreynne b Muthusamy 75

Salman Ali Agha c Muthusamy b Subrayen 93

Noman Ali b Muthusamy 0

Sajid Khan c Markram b Muthusamy 0

Shaheen Shah Afridi b Muthusamy 7

Hasan Ali not out 0

EXTRAS (LB-7, NB-2) 9

TOTAL (all out, 110.4 overs) 378

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-2 (Abdullah), 2-163 (Shan), 3-199 (Imam), 4-199 (Saud), 5-199 (Babar), 6-362 (Rizwan), 7-362 (Noman), 8-362 (Sajid), 9-378 (Shaheen)

BOWLING: Rabada 17-2-56-1, Mulder 2-0-13-0 (2nb), Subrayen 25.4-1-78-2, Harmer 33-5-101-1, Muthusamy 32-6-117-6, Markram 1-0-6-0

SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings):

A. Markram c Rizwan b Noman 20

R. Rickelton c Babar b Salman 71

W. Mulder c Rizwan b Noman 17

T. de Zorzi not out 81

T. Stubbs c Rizwan b Noman 8

D. Brevis c Shan b Sajid 0

K. Verreynne lbw Noman 2

S. Muthusamy not out 6

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-4, NB-3) 11

TOTAL (for six wickets, 67 overs) 216

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-45 (Markram), 2-80 (Mulder), 3-174 (Rickelton), 4-192 (Stubbs), 5-193 (Brevis), 6-200 (Verreynne)

STILL TO BAT: P. Subrayen, K. Rabada, S. Harmer

BOWLING: Shaheen 5-2-15-0, Noman 27-3-85-4 (2nb), Sajid 24-2-73-1, Hasan 4-2-14-0 (1nb), Salman 7-2-21-1

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2025