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Pakistan terminated world champions the Proteas' unbeaten run by sealing a 93-run margin victory in an thrilling and hard-fought opening Test in Lahore.

The Proteas, who had a 10-match unbeaten run in Test cricket ended with a win against the Aussies in the World Test Championship final in the month of June, were bowled out for 183 in pursuit of 277.

Having resumed on 51-2, they saw the dismissal of century-maker Tony de Zorzi leg before wicket to left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi to the third ball of the day to shift the tightly balanced run chase in Pakistan's favour.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who claimed 10 wickets for 191 runs in the game, dismissed Tristan Stubbs for two and bowled Brevis, who put up a fight with a run-a-ball 54.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan also capitalized on significant spin to terminate opening batsman Rickelton's innings - he lasted 145 deliveries for 45 - and Shaheen came back in the post-lunch session to dismiss the lower order with a impressive exhibition of reverse-swing bowling.

He had Kyle Verreynne lbw for 19 and bowled Subrayen and Rabada to seal the win.

It was each team's first match of the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle and moves Pakistan straight into the number two spot after table-toppers Australia.

Their victory was founded on contributions of 93 by opener Imam and, importantly, all-rounder Salman Agha which boosted them to three hundred and seventy-eight.

After that spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan took advantage of helpful home pitches, as they did in their Test series win over England the previous year, to sustain their advantage.

The second and final Test begins on 20 October.