 "Pakistan lay down early marker for Champions Trophy 2025 with historic ODI series win in South Africa")
Pakistan created cricketing history as Saim Ayub scored 101 from 94 balls and a dominant Men in Green completed a clean sweep of their One-Day International (ODI) series in South Africa with victory by 36 runs in the third and final clash at The Wanderers on Sunday. This is the first time Pakistan have clean swept an ODI series in South Africa, most importantly, this is the first time The Proteas have failed to win a single match of a bilateral ODI series at home.
With the ODI series clan sweep in Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan and Company have also laid down an early marker for Champions Trophy 2025 which will take place at home.
South Africa asked the tourists to bat in a game reduced to 47 overs per side due to rain and Pakistan amassed 308 for nine, boosted by Saim’s second century of the series and his third in nine ODIs.
Babar Azam (52 from 71 balls), captain Mohammad Rizwan (53 from 52) and Salman Agha (48 from 33) all provided useful contributions in support of Saim as Pakistan took advantage of a largely inexperienced home bowling attack.
South Africa had their target reduced by one run to 308 via the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method but lost wickets at regular intervals, though series top scorer Heinrich Klaasen kept them in the game with 81 from 43 balls.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThey were bowled out with five overs remaining as debutant Corbin Bosch was left stranded on 40 not out from 44 balls.
“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,” Pakistan captain Rizwan said after the match.
The teams start a two-match test series in Pretoria on Thursday. South Africa need to win one of those fixtures to guarantee a place in next year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
With agency inputs
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