SA vs PAK: Saim Ayub Joins Virat Kohli in Rare ODI Achievement After Scoring 2nd Century in South Africa

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Pakistan’s young sensation, Saim Ayub, continued his impressive form in the 3-match ODI series against South Africa by smashing his second century of the series in the final ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The left-handed opener scored a brilliant 94-ball 101, becoming part of an elite group of visiting batters who have hit multiple ODI centuries in South Africa.

With this knock, Saim Ayub joined names like David Warner, Joe Root, and Fakhar Zaman on the list of players with two ODI hundreds in South Africa. Kevin Pietersen and Virat Kohli lead the chart, having scored three ODI centuries each in the country. Among Asian batters, Saim Ayub now shares the honor of hitting a century at Johannesburg with legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Shikhar Dhawan, and Kumar Sangakkara.

A Flawless Knock in a Rain-Affected Match

In a match reduced to 47 overs due to rain, Ayub showcased his class and aggressive intent right from the start. He played an array of stunning shots, helping Pakistan post a competitive total of 309/9.

Ayub celebrated his century in style, cutting a wide ball to deep point to reach the landmark. He removed his helmet, raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd’s applause, and received a warm embrace from skipper Mohammad Rizwan. His teammates in the dressing room stood and applauded the outstanding innings.

Ayub’s knock was well-supported by half-centuries from Babar Azam (52) and Rizwan (53). After an early blow, with Abdullah Shafique dismissed for a golden duck, Ayub partnered with Babar for a solid 114-run stand. Later, he added another 93 runs with Rizwan in just 75 balls, setting the platform for the middle order to capitalize.

Contributions from Salman Agha (48 off 33) and Tayyab Tahir (28 off 24) ensured a strong finish for Pakistan. The team displayed a collective batting effort, leaving the South African bowlers struggling to maintain control.

Read Original Content: SA vs PAK: Saim Ayub Joins Virat Kohli in Rare ODI Achievement After Scoring 2nd Century in South Africa

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