1st Test: Pakistan Beat South Africa By 7 Wickets, Take Lead 1-0 (Match Report)

Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali came out with a brilliant performance on debut to help Pakistan register a thumping seven-wicket win over South Africa in the first Test at the National Stadium, Karachi on Friday.

Brief scores: South Africa 220 and 245 (Aiden Markram 74, Rassie van der Dussen 64; Nauman Ali 5/35) vs Pakistan 378 and 90/3 (Azhar Ali 31 not out, Babar Azam 30; Anrich Nortje 2/45)

Karachi Test: Pakistan Beat South Africa, Match Report

Resuming the day at 187/4, South Africa could add just 58 runs before their innings ended before Lunch. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen were the top-scorers for the hosts with 74 and 64 respectively. However, none of the other South African batsmen could stand long at the crease.

Nauman finished with 5-35 and Yasir took 4-79 as South Africa slumped to 245 all out on a wearing National Stadium pitch that favored spin bowlers.

Pakistan, needing 88 for victory, lost the wickets of openers Imran Butt (12), Abid Ali (10), and skipper Babar Azam (31) before Azhar Ali (31 not out) and Fawad Alam (4 not out) made sure the hosts didn't suffer any hiccups during their chase. 

In the first innings, the visitors were bundled out for 220 before Pakistan replied with 378, gaining a healthy 158-run lead. Left-handed batsman Fawad had scored a brilliant 109 while Faheem Ashraf and Babar also made useful contributions of 64 and 51 respectively.

It was a spinners' battle on a brownish wicket, allowing Nauman to record figures of 7-73 and Yasir 7-133. In contrast, South Africa's spinners managed just four wickets.

It was only Pakistan's fifth victory against South Africa in 27 Tests.

The two teams will next face each other in the second and final Test beginning February 4 in Rawalpindi.