Pak vs SA: Saim Ayub reaches half-century in tough Johannesburg conditions

Johannesburg: Saim Ayub reached an excellent fifty in difficult conditions to ensure that Pakistan stage a comeback in the dead rubber after Abdullah Shafique’s early departure in the third ODI in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The 22-year-old made his half-century after a challenging battle, full of focus and resilience, amid tough conditions at the crease. His well-executed shot, clipping the ball off his toes to mid-wicket, was a highlight for Pakistan so far in the rain-hit match.

Earlier, the third and final ODI between Pakistan and South Africa resumed after a rain delay, with both teams seeing their overs reduced to 47 each.

The rain caused a disruption that led to a reduction of three overs per side. At the resumption, Marco Jansen bowled to Babar Azam, who managed to clip one run off his legs to backward square.

In the following deliveries, Jansen tested Azam with a full-length delivery, which Azam missed, and ended the over with Pakistan at 28/1 after 7 overs.

Babar Azam had scored 12 from 20 balls, while Saim Ayub was on 16 from 21 balls.

Kagiso Rabada then came on to bowl, delivering a series of tight overs. Ayub played a lovely on-drive for four runs off Rabada’s first ball in the sixth over, with the ball sailing through wide mid-on.

Ayub’s early boundaries included a solid on-drive for another four in his next delivery. However, Rabada struck back, forcing Ayub to play defensively, leading to a series of tight overs where no runs were scored.

In the fifth over, Jansen bowled a no-run delivery to Azam, who then saw a dropped catch at point after Jansen’s delivery was struck high into the air. South African fielder Fortuin made a leaping attempt, but missed the chance, much to the surprise of the onlookers.

By the end of the fifth over, Pakistan stood at 17/1, with Ayub on 7 from 13 balls and Azam on 10 from 16 balls. Both sides adjusted to the challenging playing conditions.

Earlier, heavy rain returned to Johannesburg shortly after Abdullah Shafique’s early departure.

The unexpected weather had already caused disruption, with full covers put in place across the ground.

PAKISTAN’S INNINGS

Abdullah Shafique’s poor form continued as he fell for another duck during the match.

The ball, delivered by Kagiso Rabada with a lovely line angling in at the top of off, caught the splice of Shafique’s bat as he made an uncertain poke

The delivery forced him to edge the ball to a tumbling second slip, where Aiden Markram, standing at first slip, made no mistake in scooping up the early offering.

This early dismissal left Shafique frustrated, marking another failed attempt at the crease in the match.

TOSS

South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first in the third One Day International (ODI) against the visiting team.

Temba Bavuma, the South African captain, opted to chase for the second consecutive game. “Obviously with the overhead conditions and rain around, it might be a slower, tacky and do a bit with the new ball,” Bavuma explained after the toss.

His decision reflected the belief that the conditions would favour bowlers, especially early on.

Meanwhile, the national team made three changes to their lineup. Sufiyan Muqeem made his ODI debut, while Tayyab Tahir and Mohammad Hasnain returned to the team.

Earlier, heavy rain led to delays in the pink ODI between Pakistan and South Africa.

As the covers remained on the field, fans and players were forced to wait for the weather to improve. A third umpire appeared on television, stating, “Once the rain stops, the umpires will conduct an inspection,” while the groundsman offered reassurance.

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Despite the delay, Pakistan had already secured the series. The match, however, remained important for fine-tuning ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

The dead rubber also presented an opportunity for the game to showcase its support for cancer awareness, with fans eager to witness the spectacle.