Pakistan triumphed over South Africa yet again, securing their third consecutive win of the ODI series with remarkable performances from Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan, thereby completing a clean sweep against their hosts.
The match, played at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, kicked off with South Africa choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to utilize the overcast conditions to their advantage. But rain pushed back the start of the game by 15 minutes, raising concerns over the possibility of reduced overs or adjusted targets later on.
Pakistani openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique began their innings cautiously, but it was Ayub who quickly turned on the aggression. He brought up his half-century off just 54 balls, exhibiting exquisite timing and placement with seven boundaries and one six. The partnership between Ayub and Babar Azam saw them forge significant runs, with Azam also reaching his fifty during the innings.
After Shafique was dismissed for just one run, Ayub and Azam settled down to rebuild the innings, which led to them both contributing to solid partnerships. Their second-wicket stand was particularly fruitful, where they amassed 114 runs, applying pressure back on the South African bowlers.
While leading from the front, Ayub brought up his second ODI century, scoring 101 runs off 94 balls, becoming only the second Pakistani to score two centuries against South Africa, and doing so on South African soil. His innings showcased powerful pull shots and precise strokes through the cover region, making it difficult for the South African bowlers to contain him.
Mohammad Rizwan also added to the scoreboard significantly with his 53 runs off 52 deliveries, including five boundaries and one six, providing the innings with much-needed stability as wickets started to fall at irregular intervals. Unfortunately, the team saw quick successions of wickets, including Kamran Ghulam who fell after just scoring two runs, and Saim Ayub, who was dismissed caught behind off Corbin Bosch, marking the latter's maiden international wicket.
Given the pressure, Pakistan's innings teetered slightly, moving from 208 for 2 to 209 for 4, but they managed to stabilize as Salman Ali Agha and other lower-order batsmen added some valuable runs, leading to Pakistan finishing their innings at 290 runs.
On the bowling front, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who was brought back to the playing XI, played his part effectively keeping tight lines and managing to take the prized wicket of Rizwan. Rabada finished with figures of 1/31, showing why he is regarded as one of the best in the business. Debutant Corbin Bosch showcased his potential by picking up two key wickets but struggled with consistency at times, ending with conceding 42 runs for one wicket.
When South Africa stepped up to chase down the target, their innings got off to a disastrous start as they lost their opener Abdullah Shafique for just one run. The rest of the batting order found it tough to build any substantial partnerships; Babar Azam managed to stabilize the innings momentarily before he fell after scoring 53 runs.
Pakistani bowlers exploited the conditions effectively, with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain keeping the pressure on at one end, allowing the spinners, including Sufiyan Muqeem, to exert pressure as wickets continued to tumble on the other. South Africa's innings crumbled under the weight of expectations, with only Temba Bavuma providing slight resistance with his captain's knock but eventually succumbing to the pressure.
The match culminated with South Africa bowled out for 218 runs, falling short of the target. Pakistan’s bowlers led by Hasnain and Afridi (who both took three wickets each) were instrumental, showcasing their depth and bowling prowess.
Overall, the third ODI not only cemented Pakistan's dominance over the series but also highlighted the growing talent within their ranks, particularly Ayub. South Africa, on the other hand, has much to reflect upon as they look to regroup heading forward, particularly with looming matches against India and the upcoming Champions Trophy.
This series will surely boost Pakistan's confidence and serve as a clear reminder of their capabilities, as they head home with their heads held high after outperforming their opponents.
