Pakistan started their Test series against South Africa with a big win at home. The defending World Test Championship winners came with ten straight victories. But their winning run ended on Pakistan’s spin-friendly pitch. South Africa lost by 93 runs. Shan Masood’s team moved to second place in the WTC table, going past India.
Pakistan batted first in Lahore and scored 378 runs. Four batters made half-centuries. South Africa replied with 269 despite one century and one fifty. Pakistan took a lead of 109 runs. In the second innings, they added 167 runs and set a target of 277.
South Africa’s batters struggled against spin. Kagiso Rabada took one wicket. Senuran Muthusamy picked up five, and Simon Harmer got four. Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan’s attack with four wickets. Noman Ali also took four, and Sajid Khan grabbed two. South Africa fell for 183 runs.
Pakistan earned full points in the World Test Championship. Australia stayed on top with three wins from three games. Both teams have the same points percentage, but Pakistan sit second because they played fewer Tests. Before this win, Pakistan were last in the table.
India dropped to fourth with 61.90 percent points after a 2-0 series win over West Indies. Sri Lanka slipped to third with 66.67 percent from two Tests. England are fifth with 43.33 percent after five games. Bangladesh are sixth with 16.67 percent after one draw and one loss.
South Africa and West Indies have not won or drawn a match yet. Both teams have zero points. South Africa are seventh as they played fewer Tests. New Zealand are the only team yet to start their new WTC campaign.
