On Sunday 22nd of December 2024, in the third and final one-day international (ODI) at Wanderers Stadium in Sandton Pakistan defeated South Africa by 36 runs to complete a record ODI whitewash of the Proteas on their home field.

Whereas overcast skies came out on top for the start of the game, and rain caused delays and disruptions. South Africa chose to bowl first after the toss took place after being postponed.

With a (75) minute rain break halfway through and a (15) minute delay at the beginning, Pakistan’s innings was severely impacted. A new goal of 308, one run behind the initial score, was set for South Africa after Pakistan scored-308 in (47) overs despite the disruptions.

Saim Ayub Is Bang Performance

With his 3rd-century in his 9th match ODI career and his 2nd of the series, Saim Ayub stole the show as he led Pakistan to 308-runs in (47) overs. Babar Azam and Captain Muhammad Rizwan also made half-centuries.

While with a scorching (48) from Salman Ali Agha and a useful (28) from Tayyab Tahir, Pakistan’s total surpassed 300.

Due to his outstanding efforts throughout the series, where he showed skill with both bat and ball, Ayub was justifiably named Player of the Match and Player of the Series.

Bjorn Fortuin and Marco Jansen each got (2) wickets, while Kagiso Rabada claimed (3) for South Africa. Corbin Bosch and Coen de Bruyn each took (1) wicket.

On the other side with impressive figures of (4 for 52), debut wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem once again put South Africa’s skill against spin to the test.

Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa’s lone warrior, finished the series as the highest run-scorer with an outstanding average of (88.00) after hitting (81 off 43) balls.

The remainder of the hitting lineup did not provide much help for him despite his steadiness. In the last game, debutant Corbin Bosch gave South Africa a glimpse of hope with a valiant (40 off 44) balls at (No. 8), but it wasn’t enough to reverse the situation.

Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Hasnain, and Tayyab Tahir were the three additions Pakistan made for the last match. They rested Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, and Irfan Niazi.