Collected photo

LAHORE, Pakistan, Oct 12, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Opener Imam-ul-Haq was dismissed 
for 93 just before tea as Pakistan reached 199-4 on the opening day of the 
first Test in Lahore on Sunday.

Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy removed Haq, caught at short-leg by Tony 
de Zorzi, after a 236-minute knock that included seven fours and a six.

Next ball -- the last before tea -- Muthusamy had Saud Shakeel caught and 
bowled to bring South Africa back into the game.

At the break, Babar Azam was unbeaten on 23, having overturned a caught 
behind dismissal against Muthusamy on one, as Pakistan added 92 runs in the 
session.

Earlier spinner Prenelan Subrayen trapped Shan Masood lbw for 76, including 
nine fours and a six, to end a 161-run stand with Haq.

South Africa could have been in a better position had they not dropped Masood 
on 61 and Haq on 72 with Subrayen the unlucky bowler on both occasions.

With the Gaddafi Stadium pitch likely to turn, Masood opted to bat after 
winning the toss and named specialist spin duo Noman Ali and Sajid Khan in 
the team

Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique leg before to pace spearhead Kagiso 
Rabada off the third ball of the day.

South African captain Aiden Markram turned to his spinners in the sixth over 
and by lunch had used all three -- Subrayen, Harmer and Muthusamy.

But there were no further dramas in the opening session as Pakistan reached 
107-1 at lunch after Haq had brought up his 10th Test fifty.

The two-match series is part of the new World Test Championship two-year 
cycle. South Africa won the title by beating Australia in June.