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Pakistan halted world champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by completing a 93-run margin win in an entertaining and closely contested first Test in Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-match winning streak in Test cricket culminated in victory over Australia in the WTC final in the month of June, were dismissed for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Having resumed on 51-2, they lost century-maker Tony de Zorzi lbw to pace bowler Shaheen Afridi to the third delivery of the day to shift the finely-poised chase in the home team's favour.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who claimed 10 wickets for 191 runs in the game, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and clean bowled Dewald Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

Right-arm spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on significant spin to end opening batsman Ryan Rickelton's stay - he lasted 145 deliveries for 45 runs - and Afridi came back in the post-lunch session to knock over the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse swing.

He had Kyle Verreynne leg before for nineteen and dismissed Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada to secure the victory.

It was both sides' opening game of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle and moves the hosts straight into the number two spot after table-toppers the Australian team.

The win was founded on contributions of ninety-three by opening batsman Imam and, crucially, all-rounder Agha which lifted them to 378.

From there spinners Noman and Sajid Khan utilized helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to maintain their lead.

The second and last match starts on 20 October.