Noman Ali’s Six Wickets Shake South Africa in Lahore Test

When Noman Ali’s six-wicket haul ripped through South Africa’s middle order on Tuesday, even the Lahore crowd couldn’t quite believe the turnaround. The Test had been evenly poised for two days, but one disciplined spell of left-arm spin flipped it completely.

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch was dry, taking more turns than expected. But nobody predicted South Africa’s lower order would struggle this much. Tony de Zorzi’s century had given the visitors hope, but the moment he mistimed that lofted drive into Shaheen Afridi’s hands. The energy in the stadium changed. You could feel it.

Noman Ali didn’t celebrate wildly. Just a quiet fist pump, then a nod toward the dressing room. That’s how he works; steady, relentless. His figures of 6 for 112 marked his ninth five-wicket haul in Tests, but this one carried extra weight. It came when Pakistan needed control most.

At one point, you could see captain Shan Masood whispering tactics between overs, urging Noman to “keep it tight.” He did exactly that. The ball gripped, drifted, and bit hard. Batsmen poked nervously. The crowd gasped when one delivery spat past Subrayen’s edge. Moments later, the stumps rattled. That one moment flipped everything.

Partnering with Sajid Khan, Noman suffocated South Africa’s tail. Sajid also took 3 for 98. He wrapped up the innings by bowling Kagiso Rabada for a duck. The Proteas lost their last four wickets for just 53 runs, folding for 269.

That collapse handed Pakistan a lead of 109, and suddenly, the Pakistan vs South Africa Test 2025 looked one-sided. Fans on social media flooded timelines praising Noman’s control, calling him “Pakistan’s silent assassin.”

Honestly, few spinners at his age still have that hunger. Noman’s story from grinding years in domestic cricket for Hyderabad and KRL to becoming Pakistan’s go-to spinner feels almost cinematic. 

The partnership between Noman and Sajid Khan has quietly become Pakistan’s heartbeat on spin-friendly tracks. In just four Tests this season, the duo have taken 70 wickets combined. That’s dominance.

As the Lahore evening sun dipped, the crowd stayed put, chanting Noman’s name. His spell had not just tilted the Test, it reignited belief that Pakistan’s spin legacy still runs deep.

And with two days left, Pakistan now holds all the cards. Can South Africa fight back from here? Hard to say. But one thing’s certain: Watch Pakistan vs South Africa Test live streaming tomorrow, you might just see another twist.