Pakistan vs South Africa kicked off their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign in Lahore with a masterclass in resilience. At stumps on Day 1, Pakistan stood firm at 313/5, thanks to a breathtaking recovery led by Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha after a precarious middle-order stumble.
Table of Contents
- Day 1 Drama: From Collapse to Command
- Imam & Masood Lay the Foundation
- Rizwan & Agha: The Unbroken Lifeline
- South Africa’s Costly Drops
- What This Means for the World Test Championship
- Key Stats & Scorecard Snapshot
Day 1 Drama: From Collapse to Command
The opening day of the first Test in Lahore was a rollercoaster. After winning the toss and electing to bat on a pitch expected to assist spin as the match progresses, Pakistan looked in control. However, a sudden middle-order collapse threatened to derail their innings. Just when things seemed bleak, a remarkable partnership changed the entire complexion of the day.
Imam & Masood Lay the Foundation
The day belonged initially to Imam-ul-Haq, who returned to the Test side with a statement. His fluent 93 was a mix of elegant drives and calculated aggression, anchoring the innings beautifully . He found a solid ally in captain Shan Masood, who contributed a vital 76. Their 161-run stand for the second wicket gave Pakistan the platform they needed .
Rizwan & Agha: The Unbroken Lifeline
After the fall of the top order, including the key wicket of Babar Azam, Pakistan found themselves in a spot of bother at 200/5. Enter Mohammad Rizwan and debutant Salman Ali Agha. Showing nerves of steel, the pair put together an unbeaten 114-run partnership for the sixth wicket . Rizwan, the dependable wicketkeeper-batter, was resolute on 62*, while Agha announced his arrival on the big stage with a confident 52* . Their calm and composed batting in the final session was a masterclass in rebuilding an innings.
South Africa’s Costly Drops
South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer, toiled hard but were let down by their fielding. Crucial dropped catches in the slips and at key moments gifted Pakistan extra lives, which they capitalized on handsomely . These missed opportunities could prove extremely expensive on a pitch that is only expected to get more challenging for batting in the coming days.
What This Means for the World Test Championship
This match is the opening fixture of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle . Both Pakistan and South Africa are looking to start their campaigns on a high note to secure a spot in the final at Lord’s in 2027 . A strong first-innings total like 313/5 puts Pakistan in a commanding position to not just win the match but also claim a full 12 WTC points .
Key Stats & Scorecard Snapshot
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imam-ul-Haq | 93 | 157 | 10 | 0 | 59.23 |
| Shan Masood (c) | 76 | 132 | 8 | 0 | 57.57 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | 62* | 107 | 2 | 2 | 57.94 |
| Salman Ali Agha | 52* | 83 | 2 | 1 | 62.65 |
Bowling Highlights: Senuran Muthusamy was the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 2/101 .
Looking Ahead
With a strong platform set and two batters well-set at the crease, Pakistan will aim to push their total beyond 400 on Day 2. For South Africa, the challenge will be to break the Rizwan-Agha partnership early and then counter the Pakistani spinners on a wearing track.