Test cricket continues to produce fascinating moments Pakistan And South Africa lock horns in the opening Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The match saw a fascinating battle between bat and ball, with spinners finding plenty of help on a worn pitch. While Tony de Zorzi showed great skill and composure to build a gritty century for South Africa, that was it Noman Ali who stole the spotlight with a record-breaking six-wicket haul that left the visitors reeling.
Tony de Zorzi’s battle is in vain
South Africa resumed their innings at 216/6 but could only add 53 runs before being bowled out for 269. Noman led the charge with figures of 6 for 112 in 35 overs, while Sajid Khan chipped with two wickets to wipe out the tail. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling provided a healthy lead in the first innings on a deteriorating delivery that continued to promote spin.
Amid the collapse, De Zorzi stood tall for the visitors. The left-hander played some elegant drives and sweeps, displaying excellent temperament to bring up his second Test century. He scored 104 off 171 balls before miscuing a high shot straight to long-on off Noman. Besides De Zorzi, the Proteas also received some support from Ryan Rickelton while the rest of the South African line-up struggled against the Pakistani spinners.
De Zorzi’s brave effort briefly gave the Proteas hope, but once he fell, it didn’t take long for Pakistan to wrap up the innings. However, his innings reaffirmed his growing status as one of South Africa’s most reliable red-ball hitters.
Noman Ali dismantles South Africa while breaking Iqbal Qasim’s long-standing record
Pakistan tightened their grip on the match after Noman’s magnificent spell on Day 3 dismantled South Africa’s lower order. The veteran spinner delivered a masterclass in control and deception, leading his team to a dominant position. Noman’s spell wasn’t just about the impact of the match, it was historic. The 39-year-old surpassed the mark with his six-wicket haul IQBAL QASIM‘s record of eight five-wicket hauls and became the Pakistani left-arm spinner with the most five-wicket innings in Test cricket. This achievement further cements his place among Pakistan’s spin greats.
Noman showed his trademark accuracy and flight and kept the South African batters guessing throughout the innings. His ability to make sharp turns and bounce off the surface made life difficult even for the set hitters. Fans and former cricketers took to social media to praise the spinner’s brilliance and his remarkable longevity in the format.
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Here’s how fans reacted:
9 TEST FIFERS – MOST BY A PAKISTANIAN LEFT ARM SPINNER 🇵🇰
– Noman Ali, the backbone of Pakistani bowling at home 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GmHIUEX8Wj
– Junaiiz (@DHILLOW_) October 14, 2025
9TH FIVE WICKET-HAUL FOR NOMAN ALI IN TEST CRICKET. 🔥👏
– What a bowler for Pakistan. 😍 pic.twitter.com/irrAL7VUTd
-Sheri. (@Callmesheri1_) October 14, 2025
That’s a brilliant century from Tony de Zorzi. A knock full of patience and class 👏 #Pakvsa pic.twitter.com/cR3WaNwGvR
– Eems (@naeemahbenjamin) October 14, 2025
Bringing back Noman Ali and Sajid Khan was one of the best decisions Pakistan has made in recent times.
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) October 14, 2025
Noman Ali had the best bowling average in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OVPt8zsR3f
-Sheri. (@Callmesheri1_) October 13, 2025
Noman Ali, what a bowler. Another fiver. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite players.
— Adam Bell 🇳🇿🇮🇹 (@AdamKerrBell) October 14, 2025
That is an exceptional century from Tony de Zorzi. Didn’t have much luck at the top of the rankings, moved to the middle rankings and ran into the ground yesterday in difficult conditions and reaped the rewards. So happy for him.
— Dal (@ncakos316) October 14, 2025
Of all the bowlers to have taken at least 50 Test wickets since 2023, none has a better bowling average than Noman Ali’s 15.21.
Great bowler.
— Dal (@ncakos316) October 14, 2025
Where was Noman Ali all these years? Did the selection committee sleep on his talent? He deserved this spot a long time ago; PCB has wasted his prime, and now that he’s being admitted at the age of 39, it feels far too late.#Pakvsa
— Hamza Mughal ✪ (@Hamzakhan0309) October 14, 2025
UPDATE: Pakistan dominates South Africa in Lahore Test! 🔥take a lead of 109 runs and bowl out Proteas for 269. Noman Ali continues his brilliance with 6 wickets💥 #Pack #LahoreTest #Nomanali pic.twitter.com/rixa7FxoT4
— Muhammad Yousaf (ANJUM) (@imyousafanjum) October 14, 2025
A century never to be forgotten. 💯
An innings to savor from Tony de Zorzi, showing class, composure and character on a challenging wicket. 🔥
Stand tall with an excellent hundred in front #DeProteas Gentlemen. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/pqqFB8s9xE
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 14, 2025
9th 5 wickets hual in test cricket by Noman Ali. 👏👏👏#Pakvsa #GreenPeYaqeen #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/qy0WxLC0rr
— Imran Zafar (@Gondal_hon) October 14, 2025
The front foot to Noman Ali and the back foot to Sajit Khan😭
This summed up our pathetic batting, except for Tony De zorzi’s brilliance.#SAvPAK— Basith 🇿🇦 (@Basithsaucy) October 14, 2025
Tony de Zorzi is going to a fantastic century 🔥
It has been a challenging century, while others have succumbed to the spin
It’s also a reminder of what he’s capable of
Well played 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/LTfFbPG8WO
— Werner (@Werries_) October 14, 2025
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