Brilliant century from Saim Ayub followed by a controlled team bowling performance guided Pakistan to a 3-0 ODI series sweep against South Africa on Monday (IST). Saim Ayub compiled his second century of the series (101), also claiming 1/34 with the ball as Saim Ayub teamed up with four fellow wicket-takers to close out the performance.
The victory in the third ODI was orchestrated by Saim Ayub, who hit his second century of the series, and debutant Sufyan Muqeem, who returned figures of 4-52 along with half-centuries from skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Saim Ayub’s’ 10-over spell of bowling yielded 1-34. 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 a rain hit match.
Pitch Report and Toss
Pitch Report : The Wanderers Stadium pitch in Johannesburg is traditionally a batting-friendly surface, but recent rainfall may introduce some early moisture, offering fast bowlers an advantage at the start. Pacers who utilize these conditions effectively could find success, while spinners might play a bigger role as the pitch dries out later. With a typically quick outfield, sharp fielding will be essential.
The renowned Wanderers Stadium offers a pitch that has been generally regarded as favorable for batting. However, continuous rain in South Africa may bring in moisture, offering help to the bowlers. The average first-inning score at this venue is 240 and historically team bowling first has had an upper hand at this venue.
Toss : South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to field with 2 changes in the playing XI bringing in Kagiso Rabada and debutant Corbin Bosch in the playing XI. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan batting first made as much as three changes in the playing XI.
Saim Ayub’s ton aided by fifties from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan propels Pakistan to 308
Saim Ayub’s fine century, his second of the series, steered Pakistan to 308/9 in a rain-affected first-innings in Johannesburg, that saw the match reduced to 47 overs per side.
Put in to bat in pace-friendly conditions after inclement weather delayed the toss, Pakistan lost opener Abdullah Shafique for a duck for the third time in three innings in this series. But Saim Ayub and Babar Azam ensured that South Africa weren’t able to strike any more for the next 22 overs. The duo added 114 runs for the second wicket on either side of a 75-minute rain delay, delivering Pakistan to a position of strength midway into the innings.
After being asked to bat first in overcast conditions, Pakistan’s innings had an uncertain start when Abdullah Shafique fell in the first over. However, Saim Ayub’s explosive knock, including two sixes and 13 fours, quickly stabilized the innings. Partnering with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub shared a 114-run second-wicket stand, helping Pakistan recover from a shaky start. Babar Azam contributed 52 runs off 71 balls, but it was Saim Ayub’s aggressive approach that set the tone.
Babar got to his fifty off 64 balls with a cracking pull shot off Kwena Maphaka, but fell to the young pacer trying an encore. His dismissal though didn’t quite pan out the way South Africa would have liked, for Mohammed Rizwan who replaced him at the crease scored more freely and went on to score his fifty off 48 balls, creating further headaches for the hosts who were already under pressure after conceding the series.
As many as 51 runs were scored in five overs after Rizwan came to the crease, with the 93-run stand threatening to take the game away from South Africa. Saim Ayub’s remarkable consistency this series has been a highlight. Having scored 109 in the first ODI and a solid 98 in the T20I prior to this series, his century at the Wanderers was a testament to his growing stature in international cricket. His partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan (53 off 52 balls) proved vital, adding 93 runs for the third wicket and further solidifying Pakistan’s position.
Saim Ayub got to his hundred, his third of a very young career, with a cut off Aiden Markram but he fell in the next over to Corbin Bosch, the debutant who picked his maiden international wicket in the process. Strikes by Bjorn Fortuin followed, accounting for the wickets of Kamran Ghulam and Rizwan in quick succession, and it dented Pakistan’s momentum a fair bit until Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir came together for a 74-run stand. Both the batters scored freely and combined to hit 5 fours and 3 sixes.
Pakistan’s middle order continued the momentum, with Salman Agha contributing a quick-fire 48 off 33 balls. Though South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (3-56) fought back with key wickets, Pakistan’s controlled aggression ensured they posted a competitive total of 308/9 in 47 overs. Despite a few mini-collapses, the partnerships, particularly the one between Saim Ayub and Rizwan, kept Pakistan in the driver’s seat.
For South Africa, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada combined to pick five wickets but the inexperience of Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch allowed Pakistan to recover from the strikes and add partnerships that helped them rack up a total in excess of 300.
Sufiyan Muqeem’s 4-fer guides Pakistan to historic 3-0 series sweep over SA
In response, South Africa lost both openers inside the first seven overs. Temba Bavuma fell to Naseem Shah at point, while Shaheen Afridi had Tony de Zorzi caught and bowled with a delivery that reared up awkwardly. Aiden Markram, dropped on 8, was removed by Muqeem with his first ball in ODI cricket.
In reply, South Africa faced a stiff target of 308, which was adjusted to 308 under the DLS method due to rain interruptions. Heinrich Klaasen led the charge with a valiant 81 off just 43 balls, showcasing his power-hitting prowess. Klaasen, who had been South Africa’s most consistent performer in the series, was a beacon of hope, even as wickets fell at the other end.
It was always going to be a tough chase but South Africa’s reply started strongly and they were 24 after three overs before Bavuma played Naseem Shah to Ayub at point. This is the second time in the series Bavuma has taken his right hand off the handle as he played a shot, which may concern South Africa ahead of the Tests. Bavuma has only just regained fitness after a left elbow injury.
Tony de Zorzi looked dangerous on the drive and the pull but was bounced out by Afridi. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen took South Africa to 15 overs on 80 for 2 before Markram gifted his wicket to Muqeem’s first ball. Markram hit a filthy short ball straight to deep mid-wicket to leave South Africa in trouble even before enough overs had been bowled to call it a game
There was a semblance of recovery when Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen joined hands in the middle to add 40 runs for the fourth wicket. The former was dismissed by a searing yorker from Mohammad Hasnain in his second spell, shortly before David Miller was expertly caught by Rizwan behind the stumps.
Klaasen walked in to light rain and the DLS par score of 136 in 20 overs hanging over him and got to work. He took on Muqeem, who bowled too flat and too short, but van der Dussen’s dismissal on the penultimate ball of the 20th over pegged South Africa back. Van der Dussen was out lbw to Mohammad Hasnain for 35, making it his 10th completed innings without an ODI half-century.
It was the Klaasen show for a while after that, as the batter went on to score a 29-ball fifty and even hit Afridi for four boundaries in a row. The left-arm pacer conceded another boundary and a maximum to Klaasen in his next over before dismissing the set batter with a short ball.
David Miller might have been South Africa’s last hope but Rizwan anticipated his lap-sweep off Ayub and was ready to take the catch at a leg slip position. South Africa were 123 for 5 and not even Klaasen’s lone hand could get them over the line.
He reached fifty off 29 balls, smashed Afridi for four fours in an over and 10 runs off three balls in his next over before hitting him to deep square leg and all but ending South Africa’s fight. Bosch proved his worth as a lower-order hitter but ran out of partners to bat out the overs. Rabada and Maphaka were dismissed in successive balls to give Muqeem his four-fer and South Africa many questions ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Debutant Corbin Bosch added a solid 40 not out, but despite their efforts, the target proved too challenging. South Africa’s top order continued to struggle, with early wickets falling to Pakistan’s bowlers. Despite a spirited resistance, South Africa was bowled out for 271 in just 42 overs, handing Pakistan a 36-run victory.
It wasn’t a straightforward affair for Pakistan even after that, with debutant Bosch keeping South Africa’s hopes alive from one end while wickets fell at the other. Bosch, having taken the situation to 37 needed off 32 balls, eventually ran out of partners. Muqeem picked three of the last four wickets to fall, including the final two wickets off consecutive balls.
On the bowling front, Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem was the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for 52 runs in 8 overs. His spin bowling proved troublesome for South Africa, as the hosts struggled to build partnerships. Muqeem’s performance, alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-50), was instrumental in dismantling South Africa’s middle and lower order.
Saim Ayub, not just a force with the bat, also contributed with the ball, taking a crucial wicket for 34 runs in his 7 overs. His all-round performance on the day highlighted his growing importance to the team.
Presentations and Road Ahead
Mohammad Rizwan the series winning skipper said : Always a proud moment. The nation expects such things from us. We are happy. The whole team gave effort. The second ODI, everyone performed. That was a perfect team game. It is not easy playing away from your country. The guys had trust on each other. (On Saim Ayub) I don’t want to praise him more. We trust him and believe in his talent.
Temba Bavuma the series losing skipper said : A disappointing end to the series. We have more questions than answers. Need to have deep introspection as a team and individually. Klaasen was the shining light. He was batting on a different pitch. We saw why he is seen with such high regards. We will donning the whites. We need to get over these emotions as quite a few of us will be playing the Tests.
Saim Ayub Player of the Match and Series for his stellar performances said : Very special because we won. This award is for the team. The entire team chipped in. As a young player I look to learn from every game. I look to learn from every mistake. The seniors help me learn.
Saim Ayub’s second century in three games set up Pakistan’s 3-0 series victory as the Mohammad Rizwan-led side became the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI bilateral series at home. In the rain-affected third and final ODI, which was reduced to 47 overs a side, Pakistan racked up 308/9 before delivering a spirited bowling performance led by timely strikes, including that of Heinrich Klaasen after a 43-ball 81, and debutant Sufiyan Muqeem’s four-wicket haul.
South Africa were blanked for the first time in a bilateral ODI series at home after losing by 36 runs to Pakistan in a rain-affected game at the Wanderers. Saim Ayub starred with bat and ball by scoring a second hundred in the series and with figures of 1 for 34. Debutant wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem took 4 for 52 to again ask questions of South Africa’s ability against spin.
The loss means South Africa have won only one out of three ODI series this year, after also losing to Afghanistan in Sharjah, and two out of six ODI series under white-ball coach Rob Walter, who took over in February 2023. Pakistan, on the other hand, completed a fifth successive bilateral series win after beating New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia and Zimbabwe.
Saim Ayub has enjoyed a stunning summer in South Africa so far. He scored 98 not out in the T20I in Centurion and 109 in Paarl, and then anchored a strong Pakistan effort at the Wanderers, with 101. He also shared in a 114-run second-wicket stand with Babar Azam and a 93-run third-wicket partnership with Mohammad Rizwan to give Pakistan the perfect platform.
Earlier, the second ton from Saim Ayub in this series helped Pakistan register more than 300. Babar played a knock which was well calculated and Rizwan chipped in with a fifty as well. Salman scored a quick 48 and Pakistan breached the 300 mark. SA lost Bavuma early and TDZ didn’t last long either. The big chase looked daunting from that point onwards till Klaasen came in and changed the narrative. But once he fell, the hopes fell like heaps.
Both Babar and Rizwan brought up half-centuries as well. Pakistan had mini-collapses either side of Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir’s sixth-wicket stand of 74 off 47 balls which pushed their total above 300. Their template of slow starts and explosive finishes continued to work well for them while South Africa’s top-order batting concerns continued.
Heinrich Klaasen was the only batter to score a half-century, and he did it in all three matches. He was also the leading run-scorer in the series with an average of 88.00 but had no support from anyone else until Corbin Bosch’s 44-ball 40, on debut at No.8, kept South Africa in the chase.
Third bilateral series win for Pakistan in SA but first time that they have whitewashed the SA at their own home. There were big celebrations from Pakistan players and their camp as they become the first team to whitewash SA in SA in an ODI bilateral series. Rizwan and his boys won down under and now have blanked SA at home.
The Champions Trophy is upon us and Pakistan would be delighted with these results. SA have lot to ponder over. Their top-order remained silent throughout the series. Klaasen came, Klaasen mesmerized and Klaasen went but it was never enough. They needed someone else to take the baton ahead. Jansen tried, Bosch tried but they still fell short.
It was supposed to be a Pink Day at the Bullring but it turned out to be Grey thanks to the burgeoning clouds. But Pakistan had painted it Green by the end of the day with a whitewash of the hosts. They were the better team throughout the series and have come out trumps in all the three ODIs. For SA, they didn’t have too many moments when it looked good for them apart from when Klaasen was out there with the bat. There is growing evidence that his astronomical hits are because he doesn’t belong to this planet.
This series sweep marks Pakistan’s fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series victory, a remarkable achievement ahead of the Champions Trophy set to be hosted in Pakistan in February 2025. The team has proven its mettle in a variety of conditions, with victories over New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia, and Zimbabwe already in their pocket.
For South Africa, however, this series loss further deepens the concerns surrounding their ODI setup. Despite strong individual performances, like Klaasen’s consistency, they have yet to find the right formula in white-ball cricket. South Africa’s struggles, especially in the absence of key partnerships, raise questions ahead of their upcoming Tests against Pakistan.