The Proteas face an uphill battle to stay in contention on the third day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after Pakistan went to lunch on 36/2 – an overall lead of 145.
Tony de Zorziās second Test century could not prevent the Proteas from succumbing to a 109-run first innings deficit on the third day of the first Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
De Zorzi, resuming on 81 not out overnight, moved confidently into the nineties with a sweep through midwicket before launching a straight six down the ground to inch close to the milestone.
His moment of celebration arrived with a reverse-sweep off Noman Ali – much to the delight of his teammates in the changeroom.
But by that stage his overnight partner, Senuran Muthusamy had already succumbed to Sajid Khan, caught at slip by Salman Agha, for 11.
With only the bowlers remaining, De Zorzi felt the need to be more aggressive in a bid to take at least small bites out of the Pakistan lead, and fell on his sword when he attempted to loft Noman Ali down the ground again, but unfortunately did not get the elevation required and was caught on the boundary by a tumbling Shaheen Shah Afridi.
De Zorzi departed for 104 (171b 10×4 2×6) and the Proteas were left floundering on 265/8.
The left-hander was also Noman Aliās fifth victim, and the veteran left-armer soon had his sixth when Salman Agha pouched another comfortable catch to dismiss Prenelan Subrayen.
The 39-year-old finished with figures of 6/112 – his ninth five-wicket haul of his career – and sixth in the last six Tests.
A century to remember. šÆ
An innings to savour from Tony de Zorzi, showing class, composure, and character on a challenging wicket. š„
Standing tall with a superb hundred for #TheProteas Men. šæš¦ pic.twitter.com/pqqFB8s9xE
ā Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 14, 2025
The Proteas innings came to a rapid close shortly afterwards when Sajid Khan ripped through last man Kagiso Rabadaās defences for the off-spinner to finish with figures of 3/98.
When the Proteas came out to field, Aiden Markram followed the Pakistan recipe by tossing the new-ball to Simon Harmer and the off-spinner immediately repaid his captain’s faith by luring Imam-ul-Haq out his crease to be stumped first ball for a duck.
Harmer enjoyed further success when he set up Pakistan captain Shan Masood beautifully with a big-turning off-spinner away from the left-hander before unleashing a vicious turning delivery that spun back into Masood, wrapping him on the pads.
However, the highlight of the morning was an inspired new-ball spell from Kagiso Rabada. The Proteas spearhead was determined to haul his team back into the contest, despite conditions not favouring the fast bowlers in this Test match.
But that did not deter Rabada who charged in, increasing his speed in excess of 140km/h, with the paceman pleading with his captain for one last over before the lunch interval.
Unfortunately for Rabada and the Proteas, there was no success with Abdullah Shafique surviving a couple of edges flying through the slip cordon and Baba Azam a vociferous LBW appeal that was sent upstairs but to no avail.
First Test, Day 3, Lunch
Pakistan: 378 all out & 36/2 (Shafique 21*, Harmer 2/13)
South Africa: 269 all out (De Zorzi 104, Rickelton 71, Noman Ali 6/112, Sajid Khan 3/98)
Pakistan lead by 146 runs
