P.Akistan’s emphatic victory against reigning world Test champions South Africa in Lahore marked not only a perfect start to their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign but also a significant statement on their evolving identity in Test cricket. It was more than a victory; it was a statement that Pakistan, when focused and calm, can still dominate their world-class opponents, especially at home.
Gaddafi Stadium witnessed a contest that tested Pakistan’s temperament as much as its talent. The home team, having endured a previous indifferent WTC cycle, entered this one with renewed purpose and clarity. Under the captaincy of Shan Masood, Pakistan beat South Africa by a convincing margin after lunch on the fourth day, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. The victory, achieved through a blend of disciplined spin bowling, tactical awareness and flashes of brilliance with the bat, offered both relief and optimism to Pakistan fans.
Masood’s leadership has been defined by a clear tactical philosophy: preparing pitches that deliver results, relying on batting discipline from the start and letting the spinners dictate conditions as the game progresses. The Lahore Test followed this scenario to perfection. After winning a crucial toss, Masood made full use of the home advantage. Half-centuries from Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman helped Pakistan post a strong first innings total. South Africa, in response, struggled to deal with the variable turns and bounces, conceding a 109-run lead that proved decisive.
But behind the euphoria lies a disturbing truth. This formula, as effective as it may seem, remains dependent on factors beyond Pakistan’s control, notably the draw. If Aiden Markram had called correctly that first morning, the game easily could have taken a different trajectory. Pakistan’s domestic success continues to depend on conditions suited to its strengths and those of its adversaries. While this pragmatic approach wins on familiar ground, it raises questions about sustainability abroad.
Despite the final domination, the Pakistani batters showed a familiar fragility. Twice during the match the team stumbled from dominant positions and found themselves in mini-collapses that exposed their mental errors under pressure. From 199 for 2 in the first innings, Pakistan suddenly lost three wickets without adding a run. Later, after a promising partnership between Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel in the second innings, they collapsed again, losing six wickets for just 17 runs.
These were not mere statistical oddities; they reflected deeper issues of temperament and decision-making. Head coach Azhar Mahmood’s post-match comments on “shot selection and mental errors” cut to the heart of Pakistan’s perennial problem: the inability to consolidate the advantage. Too often, promising rounds are wasted by impulsive moves, betraying a lack of tactical maturity. Saud Shakeel’s ill-timed aerial shot before tea, when Pakistan needed stability, was emblematic of this old weakness resurfacing in a new cycle.
Another glaring concern is Pakistan’s chronic inability to convert fifties into hundreds. Four batsmen reached half-centuries in the first innings, but none reached triple figures. The Imam missed seven; Agha Salman, after building a valuable stand, also perished in the 90s. The pattern is familiar and disturbing. It’s not a question of skill, Pakistani batsmen clearly have the technique to start, but of mental stamina. Big innings win test matches; Pakistan’s first order, for all its promises, still fails to produce them consistently.
Babar Azam’s contribution, although consistent, remains below expectations for a player of his caliber. Pakistan’s opening batter’s scores of 23 and 42 seem respectable in isolation, but disappointing in context. His inability to convert promising starts into decisive innings highlights the need for greater accountability at the top. For Pakistan to truly compete in the WTC, Babar must not only anchor but dominate.
If Pakistan’s batting raised questions, their bowling provided emphatic answers. On a surface that gradually deteriorated, Noman Ali’s ten-wicket haul was the deciding factor. Supported brilliantly by the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who struck with a new ball and an old one, Pakistan’s attack dismantled South Africa with a mixture of guile and aggression.
Shaheen Afridi’s late spell, four wickets in eleven balls, was a reminder that pace remains a powerful weapon, even on spin-prone tracks. His reverse swing not only closed the match but also highlighted the importance of balance in Pakistan’s approach to bowling. Although Masood’s use of manipulation has paid off, Pakistan must resist the temptation to overdo it. Reducing tempo in favor of a supporting role risks blunting one of Pakistan’s traditional strengths, a crucial weapon for overseas tours where conditions will not change as abruptly.
It must be recognized that South Africa fought hard despite unfavorable conditions. Senuran Muthusamy’s eleven wickets in the match were among the best ever by a South African spinner, and the batting resilience shown by Rickelton and Brevis briefly ignited hopes. Yet Pakistan’s control of the match was never really in doubt. The first day’s partnership between Imam and Masood had already tipped the scales, ensuring South Africa were still chasing the match.
The visitors’ struggle against spin revealed both their technical limitations and the psychological weight of playing from behind after losing the toss. Ultimately, mastering Pakistan’s domestic conditions proved too difficult even for the reigning world champions.
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