Saim Ayub's brilliant century, along with valuable half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan guided Pakistan to a total of 308-9 against South Africa in the third and final ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.
PAKISTAN'S INNINGS
Ayub’s remarkable knock, which formed the backbone of Pakistan's innings, saw him construct a determined 100 runs. Rizwan contributed with a well-paced 52, while Babar Azam’s 57 helped steer the team towards a competitive total.
The innings, however, faltered towards the end as the tail was exposed. After Rizwan’s dismissal, Pakistan faced a collapse, losing several wickets in quick succession. Marco Jansen played a key role in the latter stages, removing Tayyab Tahir (28) and Mohammad Hasnain (4), while Kagiso Rabada struck with wickets at crucial moments, dismissing Salman Agha (48) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0).
Pakistan's last few wickets fell rapidly as Jansen dismissed Sufiyan Muqeem and Naseem Shah in the final overs, bringing an end to Pakistan’s innings at 308-9. Despite the flurry of late wickets, Pakistan’s early foundation through Ayub, Rizwan, and Babar provided enough runs for a challenging target.
After Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan was also dismissed against South Africa in the third and final match in Johannesburg on Sunday.
On the Highveld, he charged down the pitch, heaving to leg, but sliced the ball high into the air without any distance. The ball was caught in the covers, and Pakistan’s early hopes were dashed.
Following Ghulam’s departure, captain Rizwan played a knock of fifty before also falling to the South African bowlers. He attempted a slog-sweep, but the ball skidded on outside off and went almost straight up in the air.
The extra delivery in the over allowed Fortuin to claim the crucial wicket. Rabada jogged around from short third to take the catch and dismiss Rizwan. With these key wickets, South Africa continued to dominate.
Saim Ayub departed after scoring a brilliant century, caught by Klaasen off Corbin Bosch’s maiden international wicket.
Ayub, who had earlier played a crucial knock, gloved a delivery to the keeper. Looking to flick the ball away to fine leg, he scooped it tamely, leading to his dismissal. Despite the soft nature of his departure, Ayub received an ovation as he walked off the field.
Bosch, who dug in from round the wicket, claimed his first international wicket.
Pakistan’s young opener, Saim Ayub scored his second century of the ODI series against South Africa, taking just 91 balls to reach the landmark.
This century, his third in nine ODI innings, helped set the perfect platform for his side.
With a short delivery outside off, Ayub cut the ball through the covers to complete his ton. His performance continued to highlight his promising future in the format.
Ayub’s consistency in the series has been praised, and his performance in this match was crucial for Pakistan’s progress in the series.
Babar Azam departed after compiling his 34th ODI half-century in against South Africa on Sunday in the third ODI in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Azam faced 71 balls, hitting 7 fours, with a strike rate of 73.23. Azam’s innings ended when he was caught by David Miller off the bowling of Maphaka. The ball was short and pushed to mid-wicket, where Miller made no mistake in completing the catch.
Maphaka had earlier troubled Azam with a blow to the fingers, but the Pakistani batsman continued to play through the discomfort before eventually falling to the bowler.
Meanwhile, Saim Ayub reached an excellent fifty in difficult conditions to ensure that Pakistan stage a comeback in the dead rubber after Abdullah Shafique's early departure.
The 22-year-old made his half-century after a challenging battle, full of focus and resilience, amid tough conditions at the crease. His well-executed shot, clipping the ball off his toes to mid-wicket, was a highlight for Pakistan so far in the rain-hit match.
Earlier, the third and final ODI between Pakistan and South Africa resumed after a rain delay, with both teams seeing their overs reduced to 47 each.
The rain caused a disruption that led to a reduction of three overs per side. At the resumption, Marco Jansen bowled to Babar Azam, who managed to clip one run off his legs to backward square.
In the following deliveries, Jansen tested Azam with a full-length delivery, which Azam missed, and ended the over with Pakistan at 28/1 after 7 overs.
Babar Azam had scored 12 from 20 balls, while Saim Ayub was on 16 from 21 balls.
Kagiso Rabada then came on to bowl, delivering a series of tight overs. Ayub played a lovely on-drive for four runs off Rabada’s first ball in the sixth over, with the ball sailing through wide mid-on.
Ayub’s early boundaries included a solid on-drive for another four in his next delivery. However, Rabada struck back, forcing Ayub to play defensively, leading to a series of tight overs where no runs were scored.
In the fifth over, Jansen bowled a no-run delivery to Azam, who then saw a dropped catch at point after Jansen’s delivery was struck high into the air. South African fielder Fortuin made a leaping attempt, but missed the chance, much to the surprise of the onlookers.
By the end of the fifth over, Pakistan stood at 17/1, with Ayub on 7 from 13 balls and Azam on 10 from 16 balls. Both sides adjusted to the challenging playing conditions.
Earlier, heavy rain returned to Johannesburg shortly after Abdullah Shafique’s early departure.
The unexpected weather had already caused disruption, with full covers put in place across the ground.
Abdullah Shafique's poor form continued as he fell for another duck during the match.
The ball, delivered by Kagiso Rabada with a lovely line angling in at the top of off, caught the splice of Shafique's bat as he made an uncertain poke
The delivery forced him to edge the ball to a tumbling second slip, where Aiden Markram, standing at first slip, made no mistake in scooping up the early offering.
This early dismissal left Shafique frustrated, marking another failed attempt at the crease in the match.
TOSS
South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first in the third One Day International (ODI) against the visiting team.
Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, opted to chase for the second consecutive game. "Obviously with the overhead conditions and rain around, it might be a slower, tacky and do a bit with the new ball," Bavuma explained after the toss.
His decision reflected the belief that the conditions would favour bowlers, especially early on.
Meanwhile, the national team made three changes to their lineup. Sufiyan Muqeem made his ODI debut, while Tayyab Tahir and Mohammad Hasnain returned to the team.
Earlier, heavy rain led to delays in the pink ODI between Pakistan and South Africa.
As the covers remained on the field, fans and players were forced to wait for the weather to improve. A third umpire appeared on television, stating, "Once the rain stops, the umpires will conduct an inspection," while the groundsman offered reassurance.
Despite the delay, Pakistan had already secured the series. The match, however, remained important for fine-tuning ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The dead rubber also presented an opportunity for the game to showcase its support for cancer awareness, with fans eager to witness the spectacle.
