Saim joined an exclusive group of foreign batters who have scored numerous ODI hundreds in South Africa as a result of his century. Cricket legends Virat Kohli, David Warner, Joe Root, Fakhar Zaman, and Kevin Pietersen are among those on the elite list.
In the third ODI at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub put on another outstanding display, slamming a match-winning 101 off 94 balls to assist his team achieve a record 3-0 series thumping of South Africa.
Despite Heinrich Klaasen’s heroic efforts, South Africa was bowled out for 271 in 42 overs, falling 36 runs short of the 308-run goal in the rain-affected encounter that was cut to 47 overs per side.
Ayub joined an exclusive group of foreign batters who have scored numerous ODI hundreds in South Africa thanks to his outstanding innings and his second century of the series. Cricket legends like Joe Root, Fakhar Zaman, Kevin Pietersen, David Warner, and Virat Kohli are on the exclusive list. Saim’s outstanding play also helped Pakistan become the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI series at home.
Ayub provided crucial partnerships to support Pakistan’s innings after Abdullah Shafique was lost early. For the second wicket, he added 114 runs with Babar Azam (52) and for the third, he added 93 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (53). His aggressive yet strategic style was demonstrated during his innings, which included 13 boundaries and two imposing sixes.
Bosch’s unbeaten 40 and Klaasen’s scorching 81 off 43 balls in South Africa’s reply kept the chase going. But Pakistan won because debutant wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem’s 4/52 exposed the host team’s weakness against spin.
Pakistan won all three games as the series came to a close. They demonstrated their all-around dominance throughout the series by winning the first ODI by an exciting three wickets and dominating the second with an 81-run victory.
