Johannesburg — 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 the 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 lifted 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 returing 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.
