Pakistan vs South Africa Live: Shocking Upsets, Record Chases & How to Watch Today’s Epic Cricket Clash

Lahore—A riveting Pakistan vs South Africa contest is hurtling toward a photo-finish after three drama-soaked days at Gaddafi Stadium. Chasing 269, the Proteas limped to 73-4 at stumps on Day 3, still 196 runs adrift, with Ryan Rickelton (33*) and teenage prodigy Dewald Brevis (14*) tasked with rescuing the first Test of the two-match series. Lahore Test hangs in the balance • Pakistan 378 & 167 • South Africa 269 & 73/4 (30.5 ov) Required run-rate: 2.65 | Remaining wickets: 6 Key Day-3 storylines 1. Noman Ali’s six-for: The left-arm spinner ripped through South Africa for 269, claiming 6-69 and neutralising Tony de Zorzi’s superb 104. 2. Pakistan collapse: Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj shared seven wickets to skittle the hosts for 167, leaving the door ajar for a tense chase. 3. Early jolts for Proteas: Shaheen Afridi removed Aiden Markram, while Noman added Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs to put Pakistan on top. What Pakistan need today • Early strike: Break the Rickelton–Brevis stand before the second new ball looms. • Spin stranglehold: Keep Noman and Abrar Ahmed operating in tandem to exploit variable bounce. • Captaincy call: Skipper Babar Azam’s field placements must squeeze singles; South Africa have scored only 31 runs in boundaries so far. Proteas’ road map to 269 • Weather watch: Morning dew may favour batting; a calm first hour is crucial. • Rickelton’s conversion: South Africa’s in-form left-hander averages 58 in 2025; a first overseas hundred would be priceless. • Lower-order muscle: Senuran Muthusamy and Rabada can counterattack if the target dips below 120. Head-to-head context • Pakistan lead South Africa 13-11 in Tests played on Asian soil. • South Africa have not won a Test in Pakistan since Jacques Kallis’s heroics in 2007. Upcoming fixtures • 2nd Test – Rawalpindi, 19–23 October • Three T20Is – Karachi, 28 Oct; 30 Oct; 1 Nov Why this match matters World Test Championship points are at stake: Pakistan sit fourth, South Africa fifth. Victory in Lahore could catapult either side into the provisional top three before the Rawalpindi decider. Live coverage & streaming Ball-by-ball commentary is available on official broadcasters PTV Sports and SuperSport, with digital streams on ARY Zap (Pakistan) and Showmax (South Africa). Stay tuned for Day-4 updates as the Pakistan vs South Africa rivalry writes another thrilling chapter.