Pakistan whitewashed South Africa by defeating them in the third ODI.

Pakistan whitewashed South Africa by defeating them in the third ODI.

In the rain-affected match played in Johannesburg, Pakistan set a target of 309 runs while batting.

 Saim Ayub delivered a brilliant century to propel Pakistan to a competitive 308-9 in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan further strengthened the Green Shirts’ innings in a rain-affected encounter reduced to 47 overs per side.

After being sent into bat, Pakistan suffered an early setback when Abdullah Shafique registered his third consecutive duck, falling in the first over.

Saim Ayub and Babar Azam then steadied the innings with a vital 114-run partnership off 133 balls. Both players reached their respective half-centuries before South African pacer Kwena Maphaka dismissed Babar for 52 runs, a knock that included seven boundaries.

Saim Ayub, undeterred by the loss of his partner, continued his aggressive approach, forming a 93-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan.

The left-hander reached his maiden ODI century in style but was dismissed soon after by debutant Corbin Bosch. Saim’s 101-run innings came off just 94 balls, featuring 15 boundaries and two sixes.

Rizwan contributed a brisk 63 runs before falling to South Africa’s ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, who spearheaded the bowling attack with figures of 3-58. Rabada’s crucial strikes, coupled with disciplined bowling from the hosts, ensured Pakistan did not post an even bigger total.

Pakistan’s lineup saw several changes, with middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir, pacer Mohammad Hasnain, and uncapped left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem replacing Muhammad Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.

Sufiyan’s inclusion followed his standout performances in the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe, highlighted by record figures of 5/3.

Despite repeated failures in the series, Abdullah Shafique retained his place in the playing XI as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) strategy to provide opportunities to emerging talent while ensuring squad rotation.

With a solid bowling attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, backed by Naseem Shah, Hasnain, and Sufiyan, Pakistan will now look to defend their total and aim for a clean sweep in the series.

South Africa, chasing 309, will rely on their batting depth and the home advantage to salvage a victory in the series finale. The hosts will need a collective effort to counter Pakistan’s formidable bowling lineup and prevent a 3-0 whitewash.

Pakistan’s Saeem Ayub was adjudged Man of the Match and Man of the Series, the first match of the two-Test series between the two teams will start from December 26 at Centurion.

Pakistan Playing XI ; Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem.

South Africa Playing XI ; Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kwena Maphaka, Bjorn Fortuin, Kagiso Rabada.