Pakistan's rising star Saim Ayub showcased his prowess with the bat once again by scoring his second century of the ODI series against South Africa during the final match held at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The 22-year-old left-handed batsman effectively led Pakistan to achieve a total of 308 runs, demonstrating why he is one of the most talked-about young talents in international cricket.
Ayub's innings of 101 runs off 94 balls included 13 boundaries and 2 sixes, making it his third ODI century overall—an impressive milestone considering he has only played nine ODIs at this point. His performance not only helped Pakistan secure victory but also placed him among the elite list of players who have scored multiple centuries during bilateral ODI series in South Africa. Joining the ranks of notable players like David Warner, Fakhar Zaman, and Joe Root, Ayub is carving out his niche on the international stage.
This century follows his solid performance during the first ODI of the series, where he also scored over 100 runs. With these achievements, he is becoming synonymous with consistency and talent, proving himself as one of the pivotal players for Pakistan's batting lineup.
Throughout the match, rain interruptions reduced the overs to 47, but Ayub took control from the get-go, maintaining aggressive intent. His early partnership with Babar Azam was instrumental; together they put on 114 runs for the second wicket. After Ayub’s dismissal, Babar Azam continued to support the team with his personal contribution of 52 runs. The innings also saw partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 53 runs, solidifying Pakistan’s total.
With Ayub's aggressive strokeplay, the Pakistan side was able to post more than 300 runs, which proved to be challenging for South Africa. They needed to chase these runs to avoid being whitewashed by Pakistan, who have previously faced challenges on South African soil.
Another aspect of Ayub's rising status is demonstrated by his recent achievement of surpassing Indian captain Rohit Sharma's record for most runs scored across all formats this year. Ayub's tally now stands at 1,170 runs from 39 innings, eclipsing Sharma's 1,142 runs from 38 innings. This climb to the top demonstrates Ayub's consistency and growing reputation as one of the top run-scorers of the year.
Looking at the historical aspect of batting performances in South Africa, the names Saim Ayub and Virat Kohli resonate strongly, as Kohli remains tied for the record of the most centuries scored during ODIs on South African soil with three centuries. Ayub’s performance and achievements put him firmly on the map, with fans and the cricket community alike anticipating what he will accomplish next.
The young batter's impressive ability to handle pressure and deliver when needed has drawn comparisons to established players within the cricket world. Indeed, former stars like Kevin Pietersen have pointed out the talent pool coming out of Pakistan, signifying the upcoming generation's potential to make waves on the international stage.
Lastly, as Pakistan looks to capitalize on their success during this ODI series, Ayub is eager to take his form forward. He and his teammates are poised to face South Africa once again, this time in the Test format, which will start on December 26. With his current run-scoring prowess, Ayub’s performance will be under scrutiny as the young batsman sets out to conquer his next challenge.
