Pakistan vs South Africa, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Pakistan won by 93 runs

PAK

378

&167

RSA

269

&183

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Noman Ali

So, that’s it from our side. The WTC champions were caught off-guard in testing conditions. They had their moments but Pakistan were a much better side throughout the game. Pakistan thrive in such conditions historically and they have stamped their authority against South Africa. The visitors will have to deal with spin better if they are to challenge Pakistan strongly in the second and final Test. We hope you enjoyed our coverage. You can hop tabs and catch all the live action from the World Cup game between England Women and Pakistan Women which is about to begin in a while. It's a goodbye from our side for now. Take care!

Shan Masood | Pakistan skipper: There were lot of challenges out in the middle, credit to South Africa - they kept coming back and we built enough margins so that we could have the upper hand and glad that we finished it off. Historically we always played on such surfaces, even when we have gone spin heavy we went with a seamer or two because we want reverse swing to come into play and it is a collective effort in Test cricket. Sajid was unlucky with his injury and Noman is Noman. Lot of positives to draw from this game. It is a great opportunity to play against the team that won the WTC and we closed it out with a win today and onto the next one.

Aiden Markram | South African skipper: There was some good stuff over the last few days, really good signs with bat and ball. Take learnings and come up with better plans for the next game. We could have got a few more with the bat in the first innings, few moments here and there and if we can tighten those up it will be great. I am just happy (Muthusamy) for him, he works really hard behind the scenes and good to see him get the success. We would like to get to Pindi (Rawalpindi) and see what the conditions are like. I don't think it will be any different from what we have seen on this venue.

Noman Ali | Player of the Match: We needed to change and adjust after each and every session, and glad to got the success. The plan is to bowl according to the conditions and stick to the line and length, because I only play red-ball cricket I focus and work a lot during the breaks. The way Brevis was batting, it was a very crucial wicket and at that stage, we needed that wicket badly and that also turned out to be ten-for me.

The target of 277 for South Africa was always going to be an uphill task. The Proteas kept losing wickets at regular intervals but the 73-run stand between Rickelton and Brevis for the fifth wicket sparked their hopes for a while. Brevis' counter-attacking run-a-ball 54 was exciting to watch. He was a threat for Pakistan. He took on their prime spinner in Noman Ali but the veteran knocked him over eventually with a ripper. South Africa fell away after that. Afridi generated good reverse swing with the old ball and cleaned the lower order in style. Noman Ali was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers as he took a 10-wicket haul. From the Proteas' point of view, Muthusamy shone as he took 11 wickets in the game. Stick around for the presentations...

13:42 Local Time, 08:42 GMT, 14:12 IST: Pakistan go 1-0 up in the 2-match series with an emphatic victory. The surface looked crumbly in nature from the opening day itself and it played true to its colour. Masood won an important toss and the Pakistani batters responded well. Fifties from Imam, Masood, Rizwan and Agha helped Pakistan post a big score on the board. In response, South Africa were found wanting with the bat. Apart from Rickelton and de Zorzi, the rest of the batters failed to deal against the sharp turn and variable bounce and handed the hosts a substantial 109-run lead. Pakistan were sailing smoothly in their second stint with the bat at 119/3 when Babar and Shakeel were going strong but the former's wicket changed things. Pakistan lost their last six wickets for 17 runs. But, they were still in a very strong position.

60.5

Shaheen Afridi to Rabada, out Bowled!! Shaheen Afridi fittingly ends it and finishes with a 4-fer! Yorker length ball swinging in sharply, Rabada is caught in the crease as he looks to keep it out but gets beaten on the inside edge to get his leg-stump pegged back. A convincing win for Pakistan this. Customary handshakes all around. Rabada b Shaheen Afridi 0(2)

Shaheen Afridi to Rabada, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

60.4

Shaheen Afridi to Rabada, no run, 133.7kph low full-toss moving in, Rabada tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads

Kagiso Rabada, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Time for Drinks! Pakistan are just one wicket away now. The South African lower order is finiding it difficult to deal with the crumbling nature of the surface and are falling away. Just a matter of time now...

60.3

Shaheen Afridi to Subrayen, out Bowled!! Knocked him over! There has been reverse swing on offer for Shaheen Afridi with the old ball and he has looked like his usual self in this innings. He keeps it full and straight on middle, Subrayen is rooted to the crease as he tries to block it but the ball swings away late to beat him on the outside edge and shatters the off-stump. Shaheen Afridi has his hands aloft and has a beaming smile on his face. Subrayen b Shaheen Afridi 8(8) [4s-1]

Shaheen Afridi to Subrayen, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

60.2

Shaheen Afridi to Subrayen, no run, down the leg side, Rizwan dives to his left to stop it

60.1

Shaheen Afridi to Subrayen, no run, oh, so close! 135kph back of a length ball outside off, moving in and keeps low, Subrayen makes a risky leave and almost has his off-pole knocked over

0 0 0 0 0 2 (2 runs)

RSA 183-8

Simon Harmer

14(29)

Prenelan Subrayen

8(5)

Hasan Ali

6-0-14-0

59.6

Hasan Ali to Harmer, 2 runs, leg-sidish line this time, Harmer flicks it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run

59.5

Hasan Ali to Harmer, no run, on a length in the channel, kept out watchfully