Pakistani opener Saim Ayub Continuing their excellent form with a match-winning century, Pakistan scored 101 runs off 94 balls to complete a series sweep against South Africa in the third One-Day International (ODI) at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.
Rain reduced the match to 47 overs per side and despite a spirited South African chase, the hosts were bundled out for 271 in 42 overs, falling 36 runs short.
Ayub’s century, his second in the series, made him an exclusive group of foreign batsmen who have scored multiple ODI centuries in South Africa.
Along with Ayub, Virat Kohli, David Warner, Fakhar Zaman and Joe Root have achieved the feat, while Kevin Pietersen and Kohli have scored three centuries each in South Africa.
Ayub’s performance helped Pakistan become the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI series on their soil.
After losing Abdullah Shafiq early, Ayub formed a crucial partnership with Babar Azam (52) and Mohammad Rizwan (53), putting on 114 for the second wicket and 93 for the third.
His innings was full of aggressive stroke play which included 13 fours and two sixes. Ayub’s innings ended when he was caught off debutant Corbin Bosch, but his efforts laid the foundation for Pakistan’s dominant total.
In reply, South Africa’s Henrik Klaasen scored 81 runs off 43 balls, while debutant Bosh remained unbeaten on 40 runs.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Sufyan Muqim (4/52), bowled out the hosts for 271 runs.
With this victory, Pakistan completed a 3-0 sweep of the three-match series after a thrilling 81-run victory in the second ODI and a three-wicket win in the opening match.