Spinner Noman Ali delivered a brilliant performance on day two of the first Test in Lahore, taking four wickets to put Pakistan in a commanding position against South Africa. The visitors closed the day at 216-6, still trailing by 162 runs, as the Gaddafi Stadium pitch continued to favor spin. South African batter Tony de Zorzi stood firm with a fighting 81 not out, keeping his side’s hopes alive alongside Senuran Muthusamy, who remained unbeaten on six.
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The day belonged to the spinners from both sides. All 11 wickets that fell were claimed by slow bowlers, with South African left-armer Senuran Muthusamy also making headlines by taking a career-best 6-117, restricting Pakistan to 378 in their first innings.
Pakistan began the day on 313-5, but Muthusamy’s sharp turners and disciplined line triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost their final five wickets for just 16 runs. Agha Salman, who top-scored with a fluent 93, tried to hold the innings together but eventually fell caught in the deep off Prenelan Subrayen, who finished with 2-78. Agha’s innings featured five fours and three sixes, and he shared a crucial 163-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan for the sixth wicket. Rizwan’s composed 75, decorated with two fours and two sixes, ended when he edged a sharply turning ball to the wicketkeeper.
Muthusamy’s fiery over in the morning session saw Noman Ali bowled without scoring, Sajid Khan caught in the slips first ball, and Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled soon after for seven. His spell dismantled Pakistan’s tail and gave South Africa a chance to fight back. “It was really nice to add value to the team by getting wickets,” said Muthusamy after the innings. “It was not ideal to have lost a wicket close to stumps, but we will fight back tomorrow.”
When South Africa began their reply, openers Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder gave the side a steady start, taking the score to 45 before Noman struck twice in quick succession. Both batters fell caught behind to Mohammad Rizwan, with Markram scoring 20 and Mulder 17. That breakthrough brought Pakistan back into the game as Noman’s clever variations began to trouble the South African lineup.
The visitors’ hopes rested on Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi, who built a solid partnership of 94 runs for the third wicket. Rickelton attacked the spinners with confidence, hitting nine boundaries and two sixes on his way to a brisk 71, while Zorzi anchored the innings with patience and determination. However, part-time spinner Agha Salman provided the key breakthrough when Rickelton edged one to Babar Azam at slip, ending what was beginning to look like a threatening stand.
Noman returned for his third spell and continued to dominate. He removed Tristan Stubbs for eight and trapped Kyle Verreynne leg-before for two, before Sajid Khan chipped in with the wicket of Dewald Brevis, who fell for a golden duck.
At stumps, Zorzi remained the lone warrior for South Africa, his unbeaten 81 off 185 balls including nine fours and a six. His composed resistance prevented Pakistan from completely taking over, but the hosts remain in control. “We need to get them out as early as possible,” said Noman after the day’s play. “A 120-run lead would help us win this Test. This pitch will further help spinners in the coming days, so it’s good for us.”
With spin dominating the match and Pakistan’s lead still significant, day three promises to be decisive. South Africa will look to narrow the deficit, while Pakistan’s spinners aim to tighten their grip and push toward a series-opening victory on home soil.
