Saim Ayub Stars as Pakistan Achieves ODI Series Clean Sweep Over South Africa

Johannesburg, Dec 23 (NationPress) A spectacular century from Saim Ayub, along with a disciplined bowling effort by the team, led Pakistan to a commanding 3-0 ODI series triumph against South Africa on Monday (IST).

This victory marks the first time South Africa has faced a complete clean sweep in a home men’s ODI series, with Pakistan winning the match by 36 runs (DLS Method) in a rain-affected game.

The third ODI saw Saim Ayub shine once again, scoring his second century of the series, while debutant Sufyan Moqim impressed with bowling figures of 4-52. Contributions also came from skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, both scoring half-centuries. In addition, Saim's 10-over bowling spell resulted in 1-34.

Ayub's impressive innings of 101 not only marked his second century of the series but also saw him take 1/34 with the ball, showcasing his all-round capabilities alongside four other wicket-takers to seal the performance.

After being put in to bat, Pakistan faced an early setback with opener Abdullah Shafique dismissed on his first ball. However, Saim and Babar Azam steadied the innings, forming a robust 115-run partnership.

Babar's commendable innings ended at 52, paving the way for skipper Mohammad Rizwan to accelerate with a brisk 53 off 52 balls, contributing to a solid 93-run partnership with Ayub.

Saim’s dazzling innings concluded when a clever delivery from Corbin Bosch forced an edge to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps. Late contributions from Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir helped Pakistan reach a competitive total of 308/9.

In response to a target of 309, South Africa began strong with 24/0 in the first three overs but soon lost wickets consistently, collapsing to 123-5 within 21 overs.

The collapse began with Naseem Shah taking the first wicket by dismissing Temba Bavuma in the fourth over, followed by Shaheen Shah Afridi taking out Tony de Zorzi for a 23-ball 26.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan secured his first wicket by removing Aiden Markram, leaving South Africa at 80-3 in 15.1 overs. Mohammad Hasnain and Saim Ayub added to their woes in the 20th and 21st overs by dismissing Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller, respectively.

Klaasen, coming in to bat at 80-3, struck 12 fours and two sixes during his 43-ball innings. He and Marco Jansen combined for a 71-run partnership before Sufyan claimed his second wicket in the 32nd over. Klaasen eventually fell to Shaheen in the 29th over.

With South Africa needing 96 runs off the last 15 overs and three wickets remaining, Corbin Bosch attempted to rally the tail but ultimately ran out of partners, as South Africa fell short by 36 runs with 30 balls remaining.

In addition to Sufyan's four wickets, both Naseem and Shaheen each took two, while Hasnain and Saim contributed one wicket apiece.

Brief scores: Pakistan 308/9 (Ayub 101, Rizwan 53, Babar 52; Kagiso Rabada 3-56) defeated South Africa 271 (Klaasen 81, Bosch 40*; Sufiyan Muqeem 4-52) by 36 runs (DLS).