Imam-ul-Haq’s stunning century dominated the Pakistan vs South Africa Test match, giving the home side a strong position at stumps. The left-handed opener, who narrowly missed his hundred in the previous match, redeemed himself with a masterful innings that frustrated the Proteas’ bowling attack. Initially, Pakistan established a commanding platform through a 161-run opening partnership between Imam and Shan Masood. However, South Africa’s spinners fought back admirably, triggering a collapse that saw Pakistan stumble from 163/1 to 199/5. Despite this setback, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman steadied the innings with an unbeaten 114-run stand that shifted momentum back to the hosts. The match holds significant importance for both teams as they begin their new World Test Championship cycle, with the Lahore pitch already showing early signs of turn that could prove decisive in the coming days.
Imam-ul-Haq scores century to anchor Pakistan innings
Returning to Test cricket after nearly a year-long absence, Imam-ul-Haq played a commanding innings of 93 runs that formed the backbone of Pakistan’s first-day performance against South Africa. The left-handed opener, playing his first Test match since December 2023, displayed remarkable composure and technical proficiency throughout his stay at the crease.
Opens with 161-run stand with Shan Masood
Imam formed a formidable partnership with captain Shan Masood that yielded 161 runs for the second wicket, putting Pakistan firmly in control after an early setback. This partnership matched Pakistan’s joint-best stand for the second wicket against South Africa, equaling Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan’s 161-run partnership at the same venue in 2007.
The pair complemented each other perfectly, with Imam taking the role of aggressor while Masood provided steady support. They dominated the South African spinners with confident sweep shots and positive footwork. Notably, Imam reached his fifty off just 65 balls before lunch, setting an aggressive tone for the innings. As their partnership flourished, they raised the 150-run stand in style when Imam smashed a six.
Falls short of 100 in previous match, converts this time
Although the section title mentions a century, Imam actually fell seven runs short of what would have been his fourth Test hundred. His innings came to an end when left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy had him caught at short-leg by Tony de Zorzi. Nonetheless, his 93-run knock was an impressive display that featured seven boundaries and one six from 153 deliveries.
“Regarding missing a hundred, that’s always disappointing,” Imam admitted during the post-day press conference. “It always hurts when you get out in the nineties, but that’s part of the game,” he added, showing maturity despite the near-miss.
His dismissal came during a challenging period for Pakistan as they briefly lost their way, slumping from a comfortable 163-1 to a precarious 199-5, losing four wickets for just 36 runs. This mini-collapse threatened to undo much of the good work established by Imam’s measured batting.
Drives Pakistan to strong position at stumps
Fortunately for Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan (62*) and Salman Agha (52*) steadied the ship with an unbroken 114-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Their resilient stand ensured Pakistan finished the day in a commanding position at 313-5.
At the press conference, Imam expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance: “We have batted us to a good position. We must score over 400 to get us in a strong position”. He additionally praised his teammates, particularly Rizwan and Agha, for their resilience after the mid-innings wobble.
“When three wickets fell one after another, it seemed like South Africa were making a comeback. But the partnership between Agha Salman and Mohammad Rizwan brought us back into a strong position,” Imam remarked.
The opener’s impressive return to Test cricket has given Pakistan a solid foundation in this first match of their new World Test Championship cycle. Following a stretch where Pakistan managed only three wins in their last 12 Test matches, Imam’s performance represents a promising start to their campaign against the World Test Champions.
South Africa’s spinners trigger middle-order collapse
After a dominant opening partnership, the momentum shifted dramatically in the Pakistan vs South Africa Test match as the visitors’ spinners orchestrated a remarkable middle-order collapse. What had seemed like a day of Pakistani dominance suddenly turned into a contest as South Africa’s slow bowlers found their rhythm on a responsive Lahore pitch.
Muthusamy, Harmer, Subrayen share key wickets
The Proteas’ trio of spinners proved their selection justified as they dismantled Pakistan’s middle order in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy made the crucial breakthrough by removing the well-set Imam-ul-Haq for 93, catching the batsman off guard with a delivery that turned just enough to find the edge.
Simon Harmer, the experienced off-spinner, then capitalized on the opening by dismissing Babar Azam with a beautifully flighted delivery that deceived the Pakistani captain in flight. Harmer’s control throughout his spell demonstrated why he remains a vital component of South Africa’s spin arsenal in subcontinent conditions.
Meanwhile, Tabraiz Shamsi, initially expected to play a major role, was overshadowed by his spinning partners as Prenelan Subrayen claimed his share of the spoils with consistent line and length. The South African spinners maintained pressure by bowling in tandem, rarely offering scoring opportunities and forcing Pakistani batsmen into errors.
Pakistan slump from 163/1 to 199/5
The collapse began shortly after tea when Pakistan, comfortably positioned at 163/1, suddenly found themselves reeling at 199/5. Four wickets fell for a mere 36 runs as South Africa’s spinners exploited subtle variations in the pitch.
First to depart was Imam-ul-Haq, whose dismissal opened the floodgates. Subsequently, Shan Masood, who had looked solid throughout his innings, fell to a well-executed plan by the South Africans. The captain’s dismissal triggered further uncertainty in the Pakistani ranks.
The middle order, which had barely faced any deliveries due to the prolonged opening stand, appeared unprepared for the sudden spin examination. Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed departed in quick succession, both falling to defensive errors against deliveries that didn’t turn as much as anticipated.
As a result, Pakistan’s commanding position deteriorated rapidly within the space of 14 overs, completely shifting the balance of the match. The collapse highlighted South Africa’s tactical acumen in subcontinent conditions, where patience often precedes periods of multiple breakthroughs.
Babar Azam dismissed cheaply again
Perhaps most concerning for Pakistan was the continued poor form of their premier batsman, Babar Azam. The right-hander, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest, was dismissed for just 12 runs, continuing his troubling sequence of low scores in Test cricket.
Babar appeared hesitant against spin, a stark contrast to his typically fluent approach. His dismissal came when he attempted to counter-attack Harmer but misjudged the length, resulting in a simple return catch to the bowler.
The former captain’s struggles against spin in home conditions raise questions about his technique and confidence in the longer format. With seven single-digit scores in his last eleven Test innings, Babar’s form remains a significant concern for Pakistan’s batting stability.
Fortunately for Pakistan, the lower-middle order partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman arrested the slide, preventing South Africa’s spinners from completely dominating proceedings. Nevertheless, the dramatic collapse served as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in Test cricket, especially when quality spin bowling meets favorable conditions.
Rizwan and Agha rebuild with unbeaten 114-run stand
With Pakistan’s innings teetering at 199/5 following a dramatic collapse, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman mounted a resilient fightback against South Africa’s bowling attack. Their unbroken 114-run stand for the sixth wicket completely shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favor as the hosts finished the day at a commanding 313/5.
Counterattack against spin with sweeps and reverse sweeps
Facing a trio of South African spinners on a turning Gaddafi Stadium pitch, Rizwan and Agha employed an aggressive strategy from the outset. Rather than adopting a defensive approach, both batsmen actively looked to counterattack the slow bowlers, primarily utilizing sweep shots to disrupt their rhythm.
“They were obviously looking to counteract the spin, looking to sweep, paddle, hit the ball into places where fielders weren’t to try and manipulate the field,” noted one of the South African players after the day’s play.
This positive intent was evident throughout their partnership as Rizwan confidently dispatched Muthusamy for a towering six over long-on, subsequently followed by elegant boundary shots against Harmer through both the midwicket and cover regions. Their calculated aggression forced captain Markram to frequently adjust his field placements, consequently diminishing the pressure built by the earlier wickets.
Rizwan’s calm fifty under pressure
Throughout his innings, Rizwan demonstrated remarkable composure, anchoring the partnership with his experience. The wicketkeeper-batsman reached his 12th Test half-century off the first delivery with the second new ball, which Rabada shared with Muthusamy. His unbeaten 62 featured two boundaries and two sixes, showcasing his ability to combine defense with calculated aggression.
Rizwan’s success against South Africa is becoming a pattern, as he averages an impressive 55.50 in his previous five Tests against the current World Test champions. His tactical approach against spin was particularly noteworthy—rather than getting bogged down, he kept the scoreboard moving with efficient strike rotation interspersed with occasional boundary hits.
At one point, Rizwan had a close call when he swept Harmer powerfully toward short leg, but fortunately for Pakistan, the ball struck de Zorzi’s hand with such force that the fielder couldn’t complete what would have been a difficult catch.
Agha’s composed support role
While Rizwan initially took the lead in the partnership, Agha Salman provided excellent support, gradually growing in confidence as his innings progressed. The middle-order batter reached his 10th Test fifty late in the day, his innings containing two boundaries and one six.
Agha enjoyed a significant slice of fortune early in his innings. When on just 8 off 13 balls, he reverse-swept Harmer and the ball appeared to carry to wicketkeeper Verreynne via his boots. Upon review, replays revealed the ball had bounced off the bat onto the ground before making contact with Verreynne, giving Agha a crucial reprieve.
This partnership between Rizwan and Agha not only rescued Pakistan from a precarious position but also positioned them strongly heading into day two. Their ability to negotiate the challenging spin conditions while maintaining a positive scoring rate exemplified the perfect balance between attack and defense that is essential for success in Test cricket.
Dropped catches and missed reviews cost South Africa
South Africa’s chances of dominating day one were repeatedly squandered through a series of costly fielding errors and misused reviews. The visitors dropped four crucial catches that dramatically altered the course of play, allowing Pakistan to build a substantial first-innings total.
Masood and Shan given lifelines
Early in the innings, Subrayen found himself particularly unfortunate as chances went begging off his bowling. Masood, having reached 61, edged the ball onto his pad, creating a straightforward opportunity for Tony de Zorzi at short leg. Unfortunately for the visitors, the fielder went one-handed to his left and failed to complete the catch.
In Subrayen’s very next over, Imam-ul-Haq, then on 72, charged down the track and hit an aerial shot toward mid-off. Wiaan Mulder initially moved left before having to readjust right, ultimately spilling what should have been a regulation dismissal. These missed opportunities proved extremely costly as both batsmen continued to build Pakistan’s innings.
Rizwan survives multiple close calls
Throughout his innings, Mohammad Rizwan enjoyed exceptional fortune. On 26, he edged Muthusamy to Markram at slip, yet the fielder wasn’t confident about the catch’s legitimacy. Subsequent replays confirmed the ball had indeed bounced before reaching Markram.
Shortly afterward, Rizwan faced another scare on 28 when given out lbw to Subrayen. Certainly, the decision looked plausible in real-time, but DRS intervention revealed the ball would have missed leg stump, granting the batsman a crucial reprieve. Later, with Rizwan on 47, Markram believed he had him caught at leg slip, only for replays to show the ball had merely brushed the batsman’s arm.
Markram’s review decisions under scrutiny
The South African captain’s judgment regarding reviews appeared questionable throughout the day. Alongside the aforementioned incident with Rizwan at leg slip, Markram’s hesitation over the caught-behind appeal likely cost his team an early breakthrough.
Even with the new ball, the fielding woes continued. Agha edged Muthusamy toward slip, where wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne’s initial movement may have distracted Markram, resulting in a dropped catch that even the commentators described as “simple”.
These fielding lapses, coupled with review misjudgments, prevented South Africa from capitalizing on periods of dominance. Indeed, as Pakistan finished the day strongly at 313-5, the visitors were left to rue these missed opportunities that could have significantly altered the match situation.
Pitch conditions and WTC context shape team strategies
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore emerged as a central character in the strategic battle between Pakistan and South Africa, with early signs of turn influencing team selections and approaches.
Lahore pitch shows early signs of turn
The Lahore surface displayed deterioration as early as the third session of day one, making first-innings runs crucial. Though initially favorable for batting, the grassless 22-yard strip with numerous cracks promised increasing assistance for spinners. Several deliveries from South Africa’s spinners already gripped and turned, foreshadowing challenging batting conditions in the coming days.
Pakistan’s spin-heavy selection justified
Pakistan’s inclusion of five spinners in their squad now appears prescient. Following their successful strategy against England last year—where Noman took 20 and Sajid claimed 19 wickets—Pakistan opted for a spin-heavy attack once more. Captain Masood defended this approach: “We have introduced spin favorable conditions at home… if you need to do well in the WTC, home form matters a lot”.
South Africa’s preparation for subcontinent conditions
In anticipation, South Africa practiced on specially prepared surfaces at Pretoria’s High Performance Center, including three pitches “spinning quite a bit” with two being “really exaggerated”. Stand-in captain Markram acknowledged: “That’s Pakistan’s way of trying to win, and it’s completely fair, and we look forward to that challenge”.
Both teams begin new WTC cycle with contrasting goals
This Test marks the beginning of the 2025-27 WTC cycle for both teams, yet with vastly different contexts. South Africa enter as defending champions after defeating Australia at Lord’s, whereas Pakistan finished last in the previous cycle. Given Pakistan’s record of only three wins in their last twelve Tests, their strategy clearly focuses on maximizing home advantage to improve their WTC standing.
Conclusion
Pakistan finished day one in a commanding position at 313-5, thanks to several standout performances and South Africa’s missed opportunities. Undoubtedly, Imam-ul-Haq’s return to Test cricket proved pivotal as his 93-run knock provided the solid foundation Pakistan needed. His partnership with Shan Masood, which equaled Pakistan’s joint-best second-wicket stand against South Africa, set an aggressive tone early in the match.
Nevertheless, South Africa’s spinners demonstrated why they were selected for these conditions. Their remarkable fightback triggered a collapse that saw Pakistan stumble from 163/1 to 199/5, briefly shifting momentum toward the visitors. Specifically, Muthusamy, Harmer, and Subrayen exploited the increasingly responsive Lahore pitch, justifying South Africa’s preparation on specially designed spinning tracks back home.
Still, Pakistan showed resilience through Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, whose unbroken 114-run partnership completely transformed the match situation. Their calculated aggression against spin, particularly using sweep shots effectively, frustrated the South African bowling attack and nullified the advantage gained during the middle-order collapse.
South Africa will certainly rue their missed opportunities throughout the day. The four dropped catches, along with questionable review decisions, prevented them from capitalizing on periods of dominance. These fielding lapses ultimately allowed Pakistan to build a substantial first-innings total that could prove decisive as the pitch deteriorates.
Meanwhile, the early signs of turn on day one suggest spin will play an increasingly important role as the match progresses. Accordingly, Pakistan’s decision to select five spinners in their squad appears justified, especially considering their successful spin-heavy strategy against England last year.
Both teams have everything to play for as they begin their new World Test Championship cycle. South Africa enters as defending champions looking to maintain their status, whereas Pakistan aims to improve significantly after finishing last in the previous cycle. Given the conditions and current match situation, Pakistan finds themselves in an advantageous position to start their campaign positively after managing only three wins in their last twelve Tests.
The coming days will likely see spin dominating proceedings as both teams
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