Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday Dec 24, 2024
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 01:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a confidence-boosting result ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, Pakistan have consigned South Africa to their first-ever clean sweep defeat in a home men’s ODI series, defeating the Proteas by 36 runs (DLS Method) in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Continuing his barnstorming start in international cricket, Saim Ayub compiled his second century of the series (101), also claiming 1/34 with the ball, as he teamed up with four fellow wicket-takers to close out the performance.
Put in to bat, Pakistan started shakily after opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed facing his first ball. Saim and ICC’s top-ranked ODI batter Babar Azam steadied the innings, putting on a commanding 115-run partnership. Babar’s impressive 52-run knock came to an end, and gave a platform for skipper Mohammad Rizwan to build on, hitting the ground running with 53 off 52 and forming a resilient 93-run stand with Ayub.
Ayub’s scintillating third ODI century was cut short when Corbin Bosch’s clever delivery forced an edge to Heinrich Klaasen behind the stumps, with late contributions from Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir lifting Pakistan to a competitive total of 308/9.
Despite a quick start in reply, racing to 24/0 in the first three overs, Pakistan struck through quick Naseem Shah, as Temba Bavuma picked out Saim at point.
Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen set about in a rebuild following the loss of Tony de Zorzi (26), only for Markram to fall as one of Sufiyan Muqeem’s four wickets (19).
Muqeem (4/52 off eight overs) also removed the counter-attacking Marco Jansen (26 off 22 balls), before returning to clean up the Proteas’ tail at the 42-over mark to complete the victory.
The result closed out a near-perfect series for Pakistan. In the first ODI at Paarl, South Africa managed 239/9, anchored by Heinrich Klaasen’s solid 86. Pakistan’s Salman Agha delivered a standout performance with the ball, claiming 4/32 to stifle the Proteas’ momentum.
Chasing 240, Pakistan faced early hurdles, but Saim Ayub’s brilliant 109 and Agha’s unbeaten 82 powered them to a thrilling three-wicket victory with three balls to spare, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.
In the second ODI at Newlands, Pakistan posted a formidable 329, courtesy of skipper Rizwan’s classy 80, Babar Azam’s 73, and Kamran Ghulam’s explosive 63 off 32 balls.
South Africa’s chase faltered despite Klaasen’s determined 97, as Shaheen Afridi’s 4/47 dismantled their batting line-up. The Proteas were bowled out for 248 in 43.1 overs, handing Pakistan an 81-run win and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
