Lahore, October 13, 2025: Pakistan were bowled out for 378 runs in their first innings of the opening Test against South Africa, despite resilient half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Agha Salman here at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday morning.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan made a steady but cautious start before losing Abdullah Shafique early, trapped lbw by Kagiso Rabada for just 2.
Captain Shan Masood (76 off 147) and Imam-ul-Haq (93 off 153) then steadied the innings with a fluent 161-run partnership for the second wicket, mixing patience with precision stroke play. However, both departed in quick succession, sparking a brief middle-order collapse as Babar Azam (23) and Saud Shakeel (0) fell cheaply.
The recovery came through a brilliant 150-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman for the sixth wicket. Rizwan compiled a fighting 75 off 140 balls, while Salman played confidently for his 93 off 145, striking five fours and three sixes. Their partnership lifted Pakistan from a shaky 199/5 to a commanding 362/6.
But just as Pakistan looked set for a total beyond 400, left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy produced a devastating spell, claiming 6 wickets for 117 runs in 32 overs, including three in a single over to dismantle the tail. His scalps included Rizwan, Salman, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and Saud Shakeel — marking his best figures in Test cricket.
He was ably supported by Prenelan Subrayen (2-78), while Rabada and Simon Harmer took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s last five wickets fell for just 16 runs, with Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Saud Shakeel failing to score. Shaheen Afridi added 7 before falling, while Hasan Ali remained unbeaten on 0 as the innings wrapped up in 110.4 overs.
At stumps on Day 1, Pakistan were 313/5 with Rizwan (62*) and Salman (52*) at the crease, but they could add only 65 more runs on the second morning.
