Ayub hits another ton as Pakistan seal historic ODI whitewash in South Africa

Saim Ayub scored his second century in three games to help Pakistan defeat South Africa by 36 runs in Johannesburg and complete a clean sweep of their three-match ODI series.

Pakistan accumulated 308-9 batting first in the third and final ODI, which was reduced to 47 overs because of rain before Sufiyan Muqeem starred with the ball on his debut to pick up four wickets and bundle out the hosts for 271 with five overs to spare.

In doing so, the visitors also became the first team to whitewash South Africa in an ODI series at home.

Put in to bat first, Pakistan rode on a masterful knock from Ayub (101), who hit the third ton of his nine-match ODI career, with support coming from Babar Azam (52), captain Mohammad Rizwan (53) and Salman Ali Agha (48) during an innings that was interrupted by a 75-minute rain delay.

Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada collected five wickets between them but were not able to rein in Pakistan, who built crucial partnerships to take their total past 300.

Chasing 308, South Africa lost openers Temba Bavuma (8) and Tony de Zorzi (26) inside seven overs before Muqeem dismissed Aiden Markram (19) with his first delivery on debut.

Heinrich Klaasen added 81 as he raced to his half-century in 29 balls. But apart from Corbin Bosch, who remained unbeaten on 40, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals to fall to another defeat.

WINNERS ODI series triumphs on the trot for Pakistan #SAvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/B4dMDlpRnY

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 22, 2024

Data Debrief: Dazzling debut for Muqeem

Wrist spinner Muqeem had a dream debut at the Wanderers as he dismissed Markram with his first ball in ODI cricket and finished with figures of 4-52 from eight overs.

The 25-year-old also picked up the wickets of Jansen (26), Kagiso Rabada (14) and Kwena Maphaka (0).

Muqeem had registered figures of 5-3 - the best by a Pakistan bowler in T20Is - when they beat Zimbabwe earlier in the month, and is certainly one for the future.