Pakistan's Saim Ayub Pakistan's Saim Ayub Saim Ayub scored his second century in three games to help Pakistan defeat South Africa by 36 runs in Johannesburg and complete a clean sweep of their three-match ODI series. (More Cricket News)x1 gaming
Pakistan accumulated 308-9 batting first in the third and final ODI, which was reduced to 47 overs because of rain before Sufiyan Muqeem starred with the ball on his debut to pick up four wickets and bundle out the hosts for 271 with five overs to spare.
In doing so, the visitors also became the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI series at home.
"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award again," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.
India Win Gold Medal In Hero Asian Champions Trophy Moqi China 2024#hact2024#asiahockey pic.twitter.com/UgHJdtbgh9
Put in to bat first, Pakistan rode on a masterful knock from Ayub (101), who hit the third ton of his nine-match ODI career, with support coming from Babar Azam (52), captain Mohammad Rizwan (53) and Salman Ali Agha (48) during an innings that was interrupted by a 75-minute rain delay.
RSA Vs PAK 1st ODI: Saim Ayub, Salman Agha Take Men In Green Over The Line In PaarlvegasslotsMarco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada collected five wickets between them but were not able to rein in Pakistan, who built crucial partnerships to take their total past 300.
Chasing 308, South Africa lost openers Temba Bavuma (8) and Tony de Zorzi (26) inside seven overs before Muqeem dismissed Aiden Markram (19) with his first delivery on debut.
Heinrich Klaasen added 81 as he raced to his half-century in 29 balls. But apart from Corbin Bosch, who remained unbeaten on 40, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals to fall to another defeat.
WINNERSODI series triumphs on the trot for Pakistan #SAvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/B4dMDlpRnY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 22, 2024Data Debrief: Dazzling debut for Muqeem
Wrist spinner Muqeem had a dream debut at the Wanderers as he dismissed Markram with his first ball in ODI cricket and finished with figures of 4-52 from eight overs.
The 25-year-old also picked up the wickets of Jansen (26), Kagiso Rabada (14) and Kwena Maphaka (0).
Muqeem had registered figures of 5-3 - the best by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is - when they beat Zimbabwe earlier in the monthx1 gaming, and is certainly one for the future.