Twitter Reactions: Pakistan complete historic ODI clean sweep over South Africa

Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan achieved a remarkable feat on December 22, by becoming the first team to whitewash South Africa at home in a bilateral ODI series. The brilliant 3-0 victory was sealed with a 36-run win (DLS method) at the iconic Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The victory saw the visitors’ dominance in all departments, with young opener Saim Ayub leading the charge with a brilliant century up the order.

The 22-year-old Ayub continued his brilliant form, scoring 101 off just 94 balls. Opening the innings, Ayub anchored Pakistan’s batting with two crucial partnerships, including 114 runs with Babar Azam (52 off 71) for the second wicket and 93 runs with captain Rizwan (53 off 52) for the third. Ayub’s innings, laced with 13 fours and two sixes, ensured the Men in Green set a huge total of 308/9 in a rain-affected 47-over match.

Despite losing Abdullah Shafique for a golden duck in the first over, the Men in Green’s middle order had a good day on the pitch. Salman Agha added 48 off 33 balls, while Tayyab Tahir chipped in with 28 runs during the slog overs. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, ending with figures of 3/56.

Chasing 308, the Proteas faced early setbacks as Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah removed the openers. Heinrich Klaasen once again dominated with the bat with his 81 off 43 balls, featuring 12 fours and two sixes. However, his dismissal by Afridi in the 29th over derailed South Africa’s chase.

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Debutant Corbin Bosch (40*) tried to guide the lower order, but the opposition bowlers, particularly Sufiyan Muqeem (4/52), ensured the hosts fell short, and were eventually bundled for 271 in 42 overs.

Meanwhile, here’s how social media enthusiasts reacted to Pakistan’s dominant ODI series win over South Africa: