Saim Ayub's Another Century Helps Pakistan Whitewash South Africa

Pakistan had already secured the series by winning the first two ODIs. With a victory in the third ODI, they completed a clean sweep against South Africa. In a rain-affected match reduced to 47 overs at Johannesburg, Pakistan scored 308 for 9, while South Africa’s innings ended at 271, handing Pakistan a 36-run win via the DLS method.

After losing the toss, Pakistan batted first, with opener Abdullah Shafique recording his third consecutive duck in the series. However, a massive 114-run partnership for the second wicket between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam steadied the innings. Babar was dismissed for 52, while Saim went on to score a century, eventually falling for 101. His innings included 13 fours and 2 sixes.

Contributions from Mohammad Rizwan (53) and Salman Ali Agha (48) helped Pakistan reach 308 for 9 in their allotted 47 overs, despite interruptions.

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada picked up 3 wickets for 56 runs. Marco Jansen and Bjorn Fortuin took 2 wickets each, while Coen Mafaka and Corbin Bosch chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing a daunting target of 309, South Africa struggled early, losing 3 wickets for 80 runs. Tony de Zorzi scored 26, while Rassie van der Dussen managed 35.

A sixth-wicket partnership of 71 runs between Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen gave South Africa some hope. Klaasen played a blistering knock of 81 runs off 43 balls before being dismissed, breaking the partnership. Jansen also fell for 26.

Lower-order batter Corbin Bosch remained unbeaten on 40, but the rest of the lineup failed to contribute, and South Africa were bowled out for 271 in 42 overs.

For Pakistan, Sufiyan Muqeem starred with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 52 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up 2 wickets each.

Saim Ayub was named Player of the Match for his century, and he also won the Player of the Series award for his outstanding performances throughout the series.