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Pakistan opener Saim Ayub guided his team to a 36-run victory over South Africa in the third ODI at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. This win not only secured Pakistan a clean sweep of the three-match series but also marked South Africa’s first-ever home ODI whitewash in a bilateral series. The match, affected by rain and reduced to 47 overs per side, saw Pakistan post a formidable total of 308 for 9, thanks to Ayub’s stellar century and significant contributions from his teammates.
Saim Ayub shines with a spectacular century
Ayub’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. The 22-year-old left-handed batter scored 101 runs off just 94 balls, marking his second century of the series and his third in five innings. His knock included 13 fours and two sixes, showcasing his ability to dominate the South African bowling attack. Ayub formed crucial partnerships, including a 114-run stand with Babar Azam (52) and a 93-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan (53), which laid a solid foundation for Pakistan’s innings. His remarkable form has been a highlight of the series, having previously scored 109 in the opening game and an unbeaten 98 in the second T20I.
Ayub, for his outstanding run, was adjudged the Player of the Match as well as the Player of the Ser🌄ies.
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South Africa’s struggles with the willow continue
On the other hand, South Africa’s batting lineup struggled to find consistency throughout the series. Heinrich Klaasen was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring a brisk 81 off 43 balls, but he lacked support from his teammates. The Proteas managed to reach only 271 in 42 runs, falling short by 36 runs despite a promising start. Their batting woes were further highlighted by opener Tony de Zorzi‘s below average performance, leaving South Africa with many questions to answer ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
Sufiyan Muqeem’s bowling brilliance on debut
Debutant wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was another key player for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 52 runs in his eight overs. His ability to exploit South Africa’s weaknesses against spin bowling raised concerns about their batting depth and adaptability. With figures of 1 for 34 from his ten overs, Ayub also contributed significantly with the ball, demonstrating his all-round capabilities.
This series victory is particularly significant for Pakistan as it marks their fifth consecutive bilateral series win after previous successes against New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia, and Zimbabwe. Under the leadership of captain Rizwan, Pakistan have shown remarkable resilience and depth in their squad. The team’s ability to bounce back from early setbacks during matches has become a defining feature of their playing style this season.
