Pakistan dominates South Africa with a decisive ODI series sweep
- Saim Ayub scored a century, aiding Pakistan's impressive total of 308 runs.
- Heinrich Klaasen was the only South African batsman to score a half-century in a match that ended with South Africa bowled out for 271 runs.
- This series sweep marked a historic defeat for South Africa, who failed to win a single game in their home ODI series for the first time.
Pakistan's cricket team achieved a remarkable feat by completing a clean sweep of their One-Day International series against South Africa, winning the third match by 36 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. This victory took place at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 22, 2024. Pakistan's innings was bolstered by a standout performance from Saim Ayub, who scored a brilliant 101 runs off 94 balls, marking his second century of the series. He was well supported by fellow batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, who contributed fifties, leading Pakistan to a total of 308 runs for nine wickets in 47 overs. In response, South Africa faced a challenging target and ultimately managed to score 271 runs in 42 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen being the only South African batsman to stand out, scoring 81 runs. Despite a rain-reduced target, South Africa struggled to maintain the required run rate. Ayub's all-round performance also included taking a key wicket and being the most economical bowler in the match. South Africa's defeat marks the first instance in their history where they failed to win any match in a home ODI series, underscoring the significance of this loss ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. The series was especially disappointing for the South African side, who asked Pakistan to bat first in the final match. Pakistan capitalized on the home team’s inexperienced bowling attack and showcased their batting depth. Shahid Afridi's performance was notable as he contributed to the bowling by taking wickets alongside Ayub. The outcome of this series gives Pakistan momentum as they prepare for a two-match Test series against South Africa in Pretoria, which begins shortly. This historic defeat for South Africa also places additional pressure on them to perform in the Tests, as they need at least one victory to secure a place in the World Test Championship final. As Pakistan celebrated their unprecedented achievement, Saim Ayub not only earned the Player of the Match award for his century but also claimed the Player of the Series title for his consistent performances throughout the ODI series. The successful conclusion of this series raises expectations for Pakistan’s upcoming competitions, reflecting both their burgeoning talent and their capacity to compete at the highest levels of international cricket.