Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub etched his name alongside cricketing greats like Virat Kohli after a stellar performance in the third ODI against South Africa in Johannesburg. His match-winning century not only propelled Pakistan to victory but also secured their historic whitewash against the Proteas on their home soil.
Ayub was in sensational form, smashing 101 runs off just 94 balls in an innings laced with 13 boundaries and two sixes. His knock helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 308/9 in 47 overs. The young batter’s second century of the series placed him in an exclusive group of visiting players with multiple ODI centuries in South Africa. The list includes David Warner, Fakhar Zaman, Joe Root, and legends like Kevin Pietersen and Virat Kohli, with the latter holding three tons in just six matches.
Defending the target, Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an impressive performance, dismissing South Africa for 271 runs in 42 overs in a rain-affected match. Sufiyan Muqeem shone with four wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah chipped in with two scalps each.
The 36-run (DLS method) victory marked Pakistan as the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI series on their home turf.
Post-Match Reactions
Saim Ayub, who was named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, expressed his delight at the team’s success. “This is very special because we won. This award is for the team. Everyone chipped in, and as a young player, I aim to learn from every game and every mistake. The seniors have been incredibly supportive,” he said.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan praised the team’s collective effort and Ayub’s talent. “It’s always a proud moment to achieve something like this. The nation expects such performances, and the entire team delivered. The second ODI was a perfect team game. As for Saim, we trust and believe in his talent. He’s an exceptional young player,” Rizwan said.
Series Highlights
- 1st ODI: Pakistan secured a three-wicket win.
- 2nd ODI: A commanding 81-run victory showcased a complete team performance.
- 3rd ODI: A hard-fought 36-run win via the DLS method completed the historic whitewash.
Saim Ayub’s emergence as a reliable performer and Pakistan’s cohesive team effort signal a promising future for the side in international cricket.
