Ayub the batting hero as Pakistan beat South Africa

Saim Ayub scored 101 from 94 balls as a dominant Pakistan completed a clean sweep of their One-Day International series in South Africa with victory by 36 runs in the third and final clash at The Wanderers yesterday.
South Africa asked the tourists to bat in a game reduced to 47 overs per side due to rain and Pakistan amassed 308 for nine, boosted by Saim’s second century of the series and his third in nine ODIs. Former skipper Babar Azam (52 from 71 balls), captain Mohammad Rizwan (53 from 52) and Salman Agha (48 from 33) all provided useful contributions in support of Saim as Pakistan took advantage of a largely inexperienced home bowling attack.
Target reducedSouth Africa had their target reduced by one run to 308 via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method but lost wickets at regular intervals, though series top scorer Heinrich Klaasen kept them in the game with 81 from 43 balls.
They were bowled out with five overs remaining as debutant Corbin Bosch was left stranded on 40 not out from 44 balls.
Jubilation for the visitors, who did the previously unthinkable - whitewash South Africa on home soil. Pakistan have good pedigree, having twice won ODI series here, but this is the next level.
Pakistan captain Rizwan was at the centre of the celebrations as were the Pakistan support staff who came out to congratulate the team.
Their preparations for the Champions Trophy are going swimmingly, having also won in Australia last month; but for South Africa, even considering the injuries they are carrying, there’ll be some soul-searching, no doubt.
The teams start a two-match Test series in Pretoria on Thursday. South Africa need to win one of those fixtures to guarantee a place in next year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
BRIEF SCORESPakistan 308 for 9 (Ayub 101, Rizwan 53, Babar 52; Rabada 3 for 56) ) beat South Africa 271 all out (Klaasen 81, Bosch 40 not out; Muqeem 4 for 52) by 36 runs (DLS)