PAARL: Pakistan’s emerging opener Saim Ayub broke legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara’s 31-year-old record with his anchoring century in the first ODI against South Africa, played here on Tuesday.
Saim played a key role in Pakistan’s three-wicket victory over South Africa in the series opener with his second ODI century.
The left-handed batsman continued to be the Green Shirts’ top scorer with 109 off 119 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and three sixes.
With his match-winning century, the 22-year-old became the youngest player to score a century against South Africa in ODIs while chasing, surpassing West Indies great Lara who achieved the feat at the age of 23 in 1991.
Youngest to score an ODI century against South Africa while chasing
| Player | Age | Year |
| Saim Ayub | 22 years, 207 days | 2024 |
| Brian Lara | 23 years, 297 days | 1993 |
| AC Parore | 23 years, 322 days | 1994 |
| Taibu | 24 years, 104 days | 2007 |
| Kevin Pietersen | 24 years, 227 days | 2005 |
Furthermore, Saim also became the youngest batsman to score a century in South Africa while chasing, surpassing former Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who scored his first hundred against England in 2016.
| Player | Age | Year |
| Saim Ayub | 22 years, 207 days | 2024 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 years, 48 days | 2016 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 years, 54 days | 2016 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 years, 288 days | 2016 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 23 years, 291 days | 1997 |
Overall, the left-handed batsman is the third youngest to score a century against South Africa in this format, behind only compatriot Ahmed Shehzad and New Zealander Kane Williamson. Notably, both Shehzad and Williamson have won big on South African soil.
While Saim Ayub was instrumental in Pakistan’s hard-fought victory in the opening ODI, it was Salman Ali Agha, who won the man of the match award thanks to his unbeaten knock of 82 runs along with a four-wicket haul.
The duo also shared a 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket which turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour.
