Pakistan opener Saim Ayub etched his name in the elite list of the best ODI batsmen by scoring several centuries against South Africa.
Ayub’s century, his second of the series, propelled him into an exclusive group of foreign batsmen who have scored multiple ODI centuries in South Africa.
Alongside him, cricketing giants like Virat Kohli, David Warner, Fakhar Zaman and Joe Root have also achieved this feat, with Kevin Pietersen and Kohli scoring three centuries each in South Africa.
Pakistan’s 36-run victory in the third ODI was built on a solid foundation, with the 22-year-old scoring 101 runs off 94 deliveries.
Babar Azam (52) and Mohammad Rizwan (53) also contributed half-centuries.
Agha Salman’s quickfire 48 increased the total further, giving Pakistan a competitive 308/9.
South Africa’s chase was led by Heinrich Klaasen who made 81 off 43 balls and Corbin Bosch who contributed 40 runs.
However, the hosts faltered under pressure and were bowled out for 271 in 42 overs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was led by Sufiyan Muqeem who finished with impressive figures of 4/52.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah also shone with two wickets each, while Mohammad Hasnain and Saim Ayub contributed one wicket each.
For his excellent all-round performance, which included two centuries and 235 runs throughout the series, along with two wickets, Saim Ayub was named Player of the Match in the final ODI and Player of the Series.
This historic series win not only secured a 3-0 victory for Pakistan over South Africa but also etched its name in cricketing history as the first team to achieve this feat on South African soil.
The series also marked Rizwan’s third consecutive ODI series win as Pakistan’s captain.
His tenure began with a historic 2-1 victory over Australia – the first on Australian soil since 2002 – followed by a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe earlier this month.
