Pakistani batsman Fawad Alam led Pakistan to victory by hitting a classy shot against South Africa. On 29th January 2021, Pakistan defeated South Africa in the first Test by seven wickets taking a lead of 1-0 in the two-match Test series. This match was held at the National Stadium Karachi.
Debutant Nauman Ali finished with 5-35 and Yasir Shah took 4-79. South Africa slumped to 245 all out in their second innings on the fourth day.
Pakistan, needing 88 for victory, lost openers Abid Ali, Imran Butt, and Babar Azam for a total of 52 runs before achieving the target in 22.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Azhar Ali was 31 not out while Fawad Alam — who hit a fighting hundred in the first innings — hit the winning boundary. Fawad Alam hit a classy four through the offside to end the innings and led Pakistan to a resounding victory in the first Test.
FAWAD ALAM with the winning runs in his first home Test – poetic 💖pic.twitter.com/utjl0AFEbg
— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) January 29, 2021
In addition, Alam became Man-of-the-Match for his performance in the innings. Alam said that it was an important match for him as the team needed runs on the board”. Pakistan had taken a crucial 158-run first-innings lead. All thanks to a fighting century from Fawad and half-centuries from Faheem Ashraf and Azhar.
Meanwhile, the South African team is on its first tour of Pakistan for 14 years. Moreover, it was only Pakistan’s fifth victory against South Africa in 27 Tests.