Pakistan Whitewashed South Africa in ODI series, led by Saim Ayub’s brilliance and Sufiyan Muqeem’s stellar debut performance.
In a historic moment for Pakistan cricket, the men in green gave South Africa their first-ever bilateral ODI series whitewash at home, defeating them by 36 runs in the rain-soaked third ODI at the Wanderers. This victory not only demonstrated Pakistan’s superiority, but it also represented their fifth consecutive bilateral series victory, having previously defeated New Zealand, Afghanistan, Australia, and Zimbabwe. Pakistan’s standout players included Saim Ayub, who struck his second century of the series and contributed with the ball, and debutant wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, whose four-wicket haul highlighted South Africa’s persistent troubles with spin.
Saim Ayub Shines Bright
Saim Ayub continued his spectacular form, scoring a century at the Wanderers. His 101 off 91 balls led Pakistan’s innings, building on his outstanding scores of 98 not out in the Centurion T20I and 109 in Paarl. Ayub’s innings was distinguished by premeditated aggression and beautiful strokeplay. His partnerships—a 114-run stand with Babar Azam and a 93-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan—formed the basis for Pakistan’s impressive score.
Ayub’s contribution was not restricted to batting; his agile fielding and timely breakthroughs with the ball made him a complete player for Pakistan. In the third ODI, he took a key wicket and finished with statistics of 1 for 34.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Support
While Ayub dominated the headlines, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan played important supporting roles. Babar hit a disciplined 60, but his hunt for an ODI century this year continues—for the first time since his debut in 2015, he has failed to reach three figures. Rizwan contributed a vital 50, continuing the momentum started by Ayub and Babar.
Pakistan’s Explosive Finish
Despite minor setbacks, Pakistan’s strategy of slow beginnings and explosive finishes once again proved successful. Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir’s quick sixth-wicket combination of 74 runs off 47 balls boosted Pakistan’s total above 300. Their ability to find boundaries at will during death overs was critical, as they scored five fours and three sixes during their partnership. Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the last overs to limit additional damage, but a score of 308 in a rain-shortened 47-over contest proved sufficient.
South Africa’s batting Woes
South Africa’s batting lineup has been a source of concern, and this series was no exception. Heinrich Klaasen was the hosts’ lone warrior, scoring 50s in all three encounters. He finished as the series’ leading run-scorer, averaging 88.00. In the third ODI, his quickfire 50 off 29 balls kept South Africa’s hopes alive, but a lack of assistance from other batters ended their chase.
Skipper Temba Bavuma’s form remains concerning, as he fell cheaply again, edging Naseem Shah to a point. Rassie van der Dussen’s lengthy slump continued with another failure, marking his tenth innings without an ODI fifty. Corbin Bosch, making his debut, showed potential with a hard-fought 44-ball 40, but it was too late.
Sufiyan Muqeem’s Dream Debut
Sufiyan Muqeem had a memorable debut, finishing 4 for 52. South African batters struggled to understand his wrist spin. Muqeem’s ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch made him a formidable opponent, and his four-wicket haul effectively ended South Africa’s fight.
Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowling unit had a balanced effort. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah bowled with pace and precision in the early going, while Muqeem and Ayub kept things under control in the middle. Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram were both dismissed early in their innings by Afridi, setting the tone for the chase.
Kagiso Rabada was South Africa’s best bowler, taking 3 for 56, but the rest of the attack struggled. Marco Jansen and the inexperienced duo of Bosch and Kwena Maphaka were expensive, leaking runs at crucial moments.
What’s next?
This series defeat raises serious problems for South Africa as they prepare for the Champions Trophy. Their top-order inconsistency, over-reliance on Klaasen, and inability to counter quality spin are all obvious concerns that require immediate attention. For Pakistan, this victory cements their status as one of the most consistent ODI teams in recent years, with their combination of experience and young potential paying off.
Pakistan’s historic ODI series victory against South Africa at home demonstrates their growing strength in the 50-over format. Saim Ayub’s outstanding summer, Sufiyan Muqeem’s sensational debut, and the team’s combined brilliance have established a standard for greatness. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Pakistan looks well-equipped to challenge the best, while South Africa is in a race against time to address their weaknesses.
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