Test cricket continues to give exciting moments Pakistan And South Africa Face to face in the opening Test at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The match witnessed an interesting battle between bat and ball; the spinners got a lot of help on the bad pitch. Whereas Tony De Zorzi displayed great skill and composure to score a serious century for South Africa, it was Noman Ali Who made headlines by taking record breaking six wickets and surprised the audience.
Tony De Zorzi’s hard-fought century went in vain
South Africa resumed their innings at 216/6, but could only add 53 runs before being bowled out for 269. Noman took 6 wickets for 112 runs in 35 overs. sajid khan Took two wickets to eliminate the tail batsmen. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling ensured a good lead in the first innings on a deteriorating pitch, which continued to favor spin.
Amid the collapse, De Zorzi stood in for the visitors. The left-handed batsman displayed excellent flair and played some brilliant drives and sweeps to bring up his second Test century. He scored 104 off 171 balls before missing a high shot straight to long-on off Noman. Proteas get little support apart from De Zorzi Ryan Rickelton As the rest of the South African lineup struggled against the Pakistani spinners.
De Zorzi’s heroic effort briefly gave the Proteas hope, but once he fell, it did not take long for Pakistan to wrap up the innings. However, his innings confirmed his growing stature as one of South Africa’s most reliable red-ball batsmen.
Noman Ali demolishes South Africa, breaking Iqbal Qasim’s long-standing record
Pakistan tightened their grip on the contest after Noman’s brilliant spell destroyed South Africa’s lower order on the third day. The experienced spinner displayed a masterclass in control and finesse, taking his team to a dominant position. Noman’s magic wasn’t just match-making – it was historic. With his six wickets, the 39-year-old moved ahead Iqbal QasimMade a record of taking five wickets eight times to become the Pakistani left-arm spinner with the most number of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. This achievement has further strengthened his place among the great spin players of Pakistan.
Noman displayed his trademark accuracy and flight to keep the South African batsmen guessing throughout the innings. His ability to take sharp turn and bounce from the surface created problems even for the set batsmen. Fans and former cricketers took to social media to praise the spinner’s talent and his remarkable longevity in the format.
Here’s how fans reacted:
9 Test wickets – Most by a Pakistani left-arm spinner 🇵🇰
– Noman Ali, the backbone of Pakistan’s bowling on home ground 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GmHIUEX8Wj
– Junaz (@dhilllow_) 14 October 2025
Noman Ali’s 9th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
– What a bowler for Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/irrAL7VUTd
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 14 October 2025
This is a brilliant century from Tony De Zorzi. A knock full of patience and class 👏 #PAKvSA pic.twitter.com/cR3WaNwGvR
– Eames (@NaeemahBenjamin) 14 October 2025
Bringing back Noman Ali and Sajid Khan was one of the best decisions taken by Pakistan in recent times.
– Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) 14 October 2025
Noman Ali had the best bowling average in the WTC 2023-25 cycle. pic.twitter.com/OVPt8zsR3f
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 13 October 2025
Noman Ali, what a bowler. Another fiver. Fast becoming one of my favorite players.
– Adam Bell 🇳🇿🇮🇹 (@AdamKerrBell) 14 October 2025
This is an extraordinary century from Tony De Zorzi. Luck did not favor him in the top order, he came in the middle order and got the team out in difficult conditions yesterday and he got the result. It is a matter of great happiness for him.
– Dale (@ncakos316) 14 October 2025
Of all the bowlers who have taken at least 50 Test wickets since 2023, no one has a better bowling average than Noman Ali’s 15.21.
Great bowler.
– Dale (@ncakos316) 14 October 2025
Where was Noman Ali all these years? Was the selection committee sleeping on his talent? He deserved this place long ago – the PCB wasted his best time, and now at the age of 39, it is too late to include him.#PAKvSA
– Hamza Mughal ✪ (@hamzakhan0309) 14 October 2025
Update: Pakistan dominates South Africa in Lahore Test! 🔥Take a lead of 109 runs and bowl out the Proteas for 269 runs. Noman Ali continued his excellent performance by taking 6 wickets. #PakvsSA #LahoreTest #NomanAli pic.twitter.com/rixa7FxoT4
– Muhammad Yousaf (Anjum) (@imyousafanjum) 14 October 2025
A century worth remembering.
An innings from Tony De Zorzi showing class, composure and character on a challenging wicket.
standing with a brilliant century #proteas Male. pic.twitter.com/pqqFB8s9xE
– Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) 14 October 2025
Noman Ali’s 9th 5 wicket haul in test cricket.#PAKvSA #greendrinkaquin #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/qy0WxLC0rr
– Imran Zafar (@Gondal_hon) 14 October 2025
Commitment to give frontfoot to Noman Ali and backfoot to Sajit Khan
That sums up our miserable batting, barring the brilliance of Tony De Zorzi.#SAvPAK– Basith 🇿🇦 (@Basithsaucy) 14 October 2025
Tony De Zorzi’s brilliant century 🔥
It has been a challenging century while others have succumbed to spin
It’s also a reminder of what he’s capable of
well played 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/LTfFbPG8WO
– Werner (@Werries_) 14 October 2025
