Nauman is the eleventh man over the age of 34 to debut in the 21st century.
| First test, Karachi (fourth day out of five). |
|---|
| Pakistan 378 (Fawad 109) and 90-3 (Azhar 31*) |
| South Africa 220 (Yasser 3-54) and 245 (Markram 74; Nauman 5-35, Yasser 4-79). |
| Pakistan wins by seven wickets |
| Scoreboard |
Nauman Ali, making his debut in Karachi, won 5-35 against South Africa in the first test.
After leading 187-4, South Africa lost 245 runs thanks to sluggish left-hander Nauman and opener Yasir Shah, who took 4 for 79.
Azhar Ali remains unbeaten at 31, with the hosts on 88 before tea.
The final Test in Rawalpindi begins Thursday, followed by three Twenty20s.
The series marks South Africa’s first trip to Pakistan in 14 years since the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009 that disrupted foreign visits.
A dream debut for the young Nauman, 34.
The tone of the day was set when night watchman Keshav Mahraj confronted Hasan Ali with the first ball of the morning’s bowling.
Quinton de Kock followed quickly, the captain only able to make two before being caught by Abid Ali a short distance from Yasir.
Temba Bavuma offered some resistance by allowing 40 off 93 balls, including a seventh-round stand of 42 with George Linde.
After losing three wickets for 10 runs on the third day, South Africa survived the second mini-loss of the set when the 34-year-old Nauman retired the lower order.
Linde was handsomely caught by Imran Butt in the 16th minute, Kagiso Rabada was pushed into the goal and Henrich Nortje slipped behind.
Bavuma was trapped while Nauman ended his trip in fifth place with 7-73 games.
Bowler Anrich Nortje gave South Africa hope when he took out Abid Ali and Imran Butt in the first over of the afternoon, leaving Pakistan at 23-2.
But Babar Azam – in his first game as captain – and his predecessor Azhar Ali played with patience and composure in a 63-game pit stop that calmed all nerves.
Although Babar was overtaken in two sets by Keshav Maharaj, Fawad Alam, who scored a century in the first set, sealed the victory with a four-set break.
“A combination of everything helped us win,” is the response.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam: “Fawad’s excellent performance was good. Dan Nauman and Yasir were excellent. The fast bowlers also played their part and it was a combination of all these that helped us win.
“South Africa is a quality team and we have a slower course planned and a combination with Nauman as a rookie. Beginners are under pressure, but he showed his experience. When the partnership was formed, he and Yasir broke up.
South African captain Quinton de Kock: “Our first set was a big reason for our defeat. I think it didn’t take us long to get used to it. We’ve had plenty of training here, but we’ve been a bit slack.
“We got to know these surfaces. Our bowlers played well, with a lot of aggression and precision. Especially the Pakistani team played very well against us.”
Fawad Alam, player of the match: “It was a big 100 at this stage because the team needed it. We were down 36-4, so we had to fight long and hard in the first set to make the second set easy.”
“There is always pressure in international cricket, especially when you are a returning player. But I enjoy my time in the dressing room”.
Fawad, who returned to the Pakistani national team in 2019 after an absence of more than a decade, scored 109 points in the first set. 
