Noman Ali Takes 10 as Brevis’ Blazing Fifty Keeps South Africa in the Hunt

Veteran left-arm spinner Noman Ali starred with a 10-wicket match haul as Pakistan edged closer to victory on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa in Lahore. Despite a spirited counterattack led by Dewald Brevis, South Africa ended the morning session on the back foot, needing 140 more runs with only four wickets in hand.

South Africa were reeling at 137 for 6 in their second innings, chasing a record 277 in Lahore. Brevis briefly revived their hopes with a blazing run-a-ball 54, but Noman’s relentless accuracy brought the young star's stay to an end and further tilted the match in Pakistan’s favor. Noman, who returned figures of 4 for 69 in the second innings to go with his 6 for 112 in the first, claimed his third 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Pakistan had posted 167 in the first innings and then surged ahead with 378 in their second, thanks to twin 90s from Imam-ul-Haq and Agha Salman. South Africa managed 269 in their first innings, powered by Tony de Zorzi’s 104, but the visitors are now staring at an uphill task.

Brevis Brilliance Meets Noman’s Patience

The day began with South Africa on 51 for 2, and it quickly worsened as Shaheen Shah Afridi knocked over centurion de Zorzi with a peach of an inswinger in just the third ball of the day. Tristan Stubbs fell shortly after, reverse sweeping Noman into the safe hands of Salman Agha at slip—his fifth catch of the match.

With the score at 55 for 4, Dewald Brevis walked in and turned the tide with a fearless counterattack. He played aggressive strokes right from the start, launching Noman for a straight six, slog sweeping another into the crowd, and even producing a no-look six over long-on to bring up his fifty in just 49 balls.

But on a deteriorating Lahore surface, it was always going to be a battle of patience, and Noman’s won. The 37-year-old spinner eventually breached Brevis’ defence with a sharply turning delivery that beat the bat and crashed into the stumps. Brevis walked back for a dazzling 54 off 54 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Pakistan Hold Firm Grip

Ryan Rickelton, who had played the anchor role with 45 off 145 balls, was the next to go, undone by a sharply spinning delivery from offspinner Sajid Khan. That wicket further dented South Africa’s already fading hopes.

Despite the top-order collapse, South Africa still have some batting to rely on. Senuran Muthusamy has a Test fifty to his name, while tailenders Prenelan Subrayen and Simon Harmer have first-class centuries. But with 140 runs still needed and four wickets remaining, they’ll need to produce something extraordinary to pull off a historic chase.

Notably, no team has ever successfully chased a target of this magnitude in a Test match in Lahore, and Pakistan’s spin duo—Noman and Sajid—have kept that record safe for now.

As things stand, Pakistan are firmly in control, but a final twist remains possible in what has been an entertaining and closely contested Test match.