Harmer’s double strike has Pakistan 36-2, lead South Africa by 145

South Africa's Simon Harmer (Center) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's captain Shan Masood during the third day of the first Test cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 14, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 14 October 2025
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Harmer’s double strike has Pakistan 36-2, lead South Africa by 145

  • Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam were at the crease at lunch
  • Pakistan dismissed South Africa for 269 in their first innings

LAHORE: South Africa spinner Simon Harmer took two wickets as Pakistan reached 36-2 at lunch Tuesday in their second innings of the first Test in Lahore, extending their lead to 145.

Earlier, South Africa had been dismissed for 269 an hour before lunch, having resumed on 216-6 on day three.

Pakistan spinner Noman Ali took 6-112 for his ninth haul of five wickets or more in Tests.

It gave Pakistan a 109-run lead after they scored 378 in the first innings, but left their openers with a tricky 11 overs to negotiate against the new ball before the break.

The 36-year-old Harmer had Imam-ul-Haq stumped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne for nought in his first over before trapping Shan Masood lbw for seven.

Abdullah Shafique, 21 not out, and Babar Azam, on one, were the not out batsmen at lunch.

South Africa’s Tony De Zorzi resumed on 81 at the start of the day and carried the fight to Pakistan on a turning Qaddafi Stadium pitch as he completed his second Test century with a six and two singles off Noman.

The left-hander finally holed out for 104 to long-on off Noman, where Shaheen Shah Afridi took a low catch, ending a 208-minute innings containing 10 fours and two sixes.

Noman, who bowled a probing 35 overs, also removed Prenelan Subrayen for four during the session.

Fellow spinner Sajid Khan took the first wicket of the day when he had Senuran Muthusamy caught by Salman Agha for 11.


Pakistan eyes collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China for local vaccine production

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Pakistan eyes collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China for local vaccine production

  • Pakistan last week held talks with a visiting Saudi delegation on partnering to manufacture vaccines locally
  • Government working on “war footing” to ensure local production of vaccines by 2030, says health minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is eyeing collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China to produce vaccines locally, Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said on Thursday, adding that Islamabad was exploring both government-to-government and business-to-business opportunities in this regard. 

Kamal told Arab News last week that Islamabad was “very close” to an agreement with Saudi Arabia that would enable Pakistan to manufacture vaccines locally. The development took place as a Saudi delegation, led by the Kingdom’s senior adviser to the minister of industry Nizar Al-Hariri, arrived in Pakistan last week and held talks with health officials on a partnership with Pakistan which would enable it to manufacture vaccines locally. 

The efforts take place amid Pakistan’s push to strengthen its health security and industrial capacity. The country of more than 240 million currently imports all vaccines used in its national immunization campaigns, relying heavily on international partners to help cover the costs.

“Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan is exploring collaboration with Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and China for local production of these vaccines,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

Kamal said the government is working on a “war footing” to ensure the local production of vaccines before 2030. 

The health minister reiterated that Pakistan has the potential to locally produce raw materials of the 13 vaccines that it provides free of cost. He added that the government will also export vaccines once it starts producing them at home. 

“Mustafa Kamal said the government is exploring both government-to-government and business-to-business collaboration to achieve our objectives in vaccine production,” Radio Pakistan said. 

Pakistan’s health ministry has said it imports all 13 vaccines that it provides masses for free at an annual cost of about $400 million.

International partners currently cover 49 percent of these costs, with the remainder borne by the Pakistani government. This external support, Kamal has warned, is expected to end after 2030.