Pakistan clean sweeps S. Africa in ODI series

Pakistan defeated South Africa by 36 runs in the third One Day International (ODI) under the Duckworth-Lewis method to sweep the series 3-0. With the victory, the national team became the first team to whitewash the Proteas in a one-day series on home soil.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bowl. Due to rain, the match was reduced to 47 overs per inning.

Pakistan's innings were opened by Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafiq. Abdullah was dismissed for the third consecutive match without scoring a run. However, Saim continued his excellent form and scored a century. He shared a 113-run partnership with Babar Azam for the second wicket. Babar scored 52 runs on the third ball of the 22nd over before falling victim to Kevin Mafaka.

After this, Mohammad Rizwan came to the crease and batted responsibly and with Saim Ayub at lightning speed, taking the team's total forward. In the 35th over, Saim fell victim to debutant Corbin Bosc at a total score of 208. He played a brilliant innings of 101 runs off 94 balls with the help of 13 fours and 2 sixes.

Vice-captain Agha Salman and Tayyab Tahir also performed well and took the team to a stable total. Agha Salman was dismissed for 48 and Tayyab Tahir for 28 runs. The Green Shirts scored 308 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 47 overs. Kagiso Rabada took three and Marco Johnson took three wickets for the Proteas.

The host team did not start well in the chase of the target. Both South African openers were dismissed in the first six overs. Captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed for eight and Tony de Zorzi for 26. After the first two wickets fell quickly, it was expected that Aiden Markram and Ross van der Dussen would reduce the team's problems, but the two only put on a partnership of 36 runs.

Wickets continued to fall intermittently and the Proteas kept moving away from the target. Henrik Klaasen was an outstanding batsman for South Africa. He scored a lightning-fast 81 runs off 43 balls with the help of 12 fours and 2 sixes, but his resistance also failed and the entire team collapsed after scoring 271 runs in the 42nd over. Sufyan Muqeem, who made his debut for the national team, dismissed four players.

Saim Ayub was declared the man of the match and the best player of the series for his overall excellent performance.

Three changes were made to the national team for the third ODI. Sufyan Muqeem made his debut for the Green Shirts, while middle-order batsman Tayyab Tahir and fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain were also in the team. Haris Rauf, Irfan Khan, and Abrar Ahmed are rested for the match.

The South African team faced the challenge of a whitewash against Pakistan in the One-Day International. The Proteas cricket team organized the Pink Day match to spread awareness against breast cancer, in which the visiting team wore pink uniforms.

Pakistan Playing XI

Muhammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafiq, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Sufyan Muqim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Muhammad Hasnain.

South Africa Playing XI

Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen, Henrik Klaasen, Marco Johnson, Bjorn Fortune, Kevin Mafaka, Corbin Bosc, and Kagiso Rabada.

It is pertinent to note that the Pakistan cricket team will play three T20, three ODI, and two Test matches in the tour of South Africa from December 10 to January 7.

The first ODI between Pakistan and South Africa was played on December 17, while the Test matches will start on December 26 and January 3 in Centurion and Cape Town respectively.