In an exhilarating third ODI on December 22, 2024, at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Pakistan defeated South Africa by 36 runs, sealing a 3-0 series win. Rain interruptions and intense performances from both sides marked the match.
After winning the toss, South Africa opted to bowl first in the rain-shortened 47-over game. Pakistan took full advantage of the conditions, with Saim Ayub delivering a magnificent century. Ayub scored 101 runs off 94 balls, his second century of the series, showcasing maturity and aggression. Abdullah Shafique completed his hat-trick of ducks in this series and struggled with his footwork.
Pakistan’s former captain, Babar Azam, supported Ayub with a patient 52 off 71 balls, while Mohammad Rizwan added 53 runs off 52 deliveries. In the latter stages, Agha Salman provided fireworks, smashing 48 runs in just 33 balls, ensuring Pakistan reached a decent total of 308/9.
Chasing a revised target of 308 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, South Africa started cautiously but failed to build lasting partnerships. The hosts lost both openers inside 7 overs as Naseem Shah dismissed South African skipper Temba Bavuma. He attempted a drive but was not in control at all and was only able to find the safe hands of Saim Ayub. Tony de Zorzi and Shaheen Shah Afridi were involved in a short tussle when Zorzi smashed two consecutive boundaries from the first two balls of the 7th over but Afridi replied with a well-directed bouncer.
Debutant Sufiyan Muqeem picked the wicket on the first ball of his ODI career as Aiden Markram smashed a half-tracker straight into the hands of Kamran Ghulam in the deep, he ended the match with figures of 4/52.
Just like in the last match, Heinrich Klaasen was fighting a lone battle against Pakistani bowlers he smashed a blistering 81 runs off just 43 balls, keeping South Africa’s hopes alive. However, Afridi again managed to claim his wicket, his dismissal proved to be the turning point of the match.
Debutant Corbin Bosch also scored 40 runs and tries to get his team over the line but he didn’t receive any support from the other end as Muqeem wrapped things off and Pakistan creates history by becoming the first team ever to white-wash South Africa in South Africa in ODI’s.
After an exciting T20 and ODI series, the two teams will play two test matches starting on 26 December, as South Africa needs just one win to secure a spot in the World Test Championship Final at Lords in June 2025.
Pakistan will be high in morale after securing a series win but South Africa will try their best to bounce and continue their extraordinary performance in this WTC cycle.
Jasir Basharat is a cricket enthusiast capturing the heart of the game through insightful analysis and storytelling sharing his passion for the sport through engaging narratives. He is a business graduate from University of Kashmir.
