Pakistan Achieves Historic Clean Sweep Against South Africa in ODI Series

Pakistan completed a historic clean sweep of the ODI series against South Africa, winning the final match by 36 runs under the DLS method. Saim Ayub played a key role, scoring his second century of the series, complementing a strong bowling performance. This series marks South Africa’s first clean sweep loss at home, providing a significant confidence boost for Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan achieved a remarkable feat by defeating South Africa by 36 runs via the DLS Method in Johannesburg, completing a historic clean sweep in the men’s One Day International (ODI) series. This marks South Africa’s first-ever home ODI series clean sweep loss, bolstering Pakistan’s confidence ahead of the impending Champions Trophy. Saim Ayub showcased his excellent form, scoring 101 runs and contributing with the ball as well, further solidifying his impact in international cricket.

After being put into bat, Pakistan faced early challenges with the loss of opener Abdullah Shafique on the very first ball. However, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, the top-rated ICC ODI batter, steadied the innings with a formidable partnership of 115 runs. Babar Azam’s commendable innings of 52 runs laid the groundwork for subsequent contributions from skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 53 runs off 52 deliveries.

Ayub’s innings culminated in an excellent third ODI century when he fell to Corbin Bosch’s clever delivery. Late score contributions from Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir propelled Pakistan to a competitive total of 308 for 9. In response, the South African innings began positively, but Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah quickly struck, dismissing Temba Bavuma.

Despite a brief recovery by Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa’s batting faltered, primarily due to the exceptional bowling by Sufiyan Muqeem, who picked up four wickets for 52 runs. He efficiently dismantled the Proteas batting order and completed the victory for Pakistan. This victory followed two prior wins, wherein Pakistan managed to outplay South Africa robustly in both the first and second ODIs, securing a resounding series victory.

Overall, this ODI series showcased Pakistan’s potent mix of batting prowess and disciplined bowling, marking a significant achievement in their cricketing journey as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.

The article outlines Pakistan’s historic clean sweep victory over South Africa in a three-match ODI series. This result is particularly significant, as it marks the first time South Africa has suffered a clean sweep in a home ODI series. Saim Ayub’s emergence as a star player, scoring centuries in multiple matches, and the collective performance of the Pakistani bowlers, played key roles in securing this victory. The background also sets the context for Pakistan’s preparation for the Champions Trophy, highlighting the importance of this series win in boosting team morale and confidence.

This article highlights Pakistan’s groundbreaking achievement in completing a clean sweep against South Africa in a home ODI series. The performances by Saim Ayub and others were pivotal in this success, providing a significant morale boost ahead of the Champions Trophy. The series illustrated Pakistan’s strengths in both batting and bowling, underscoring their competitive edge in international cricket and setting a promising tone for future challenges.

Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com