Pakistan's young and talented opener Saim Ayub showed his prowess with a stunning century to guide his team to a nail-biting three-wicket win over South Africa in the first ODI. Ayub, who hit his second ODI century, along with a solid partnership with Salman Ali Agha, was able to overcome a challenging start to the chase and secure the win for Pakistan. South Africa's top-order collapse, thanks to part-time spinner Salman, gave them a competitive total of 9-239, with Heinrich Klaasen's 86 keeping them in the game. But Ayub's impressive knock and Salman's unbeaten 82 ensured Pakistan's victory in a close finish.
Saim Ayub's Century Leads Pakistan to Thrilling ODI Win over South Africa
In a thrilling One-Day International encounter, Pakistan's young opener Saim Ayub showcased his exceptional talent by scoring a remarkable century to guide his team to a nail-biting three-wicket victory over South Africa. Ayub's impressive knock, coupled with a solid partnership with Salman Ali Agha, proved crucial in overcoming a challenging start to the chase and securing the win for Pakistan.
Match Summary
Chasing a competitive total of 240 set by South Africa, Pakistan made a shaky start, losing both openers early on. However, Ayub and Agha stepped up and forged a crucial partnership, adding 102 runs for the third wicket. Ayub played with confidence, reaching his second ODI century in just 99 deliveries.
South Africa's bowling attack, led by Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj, put up a strong fight, but Ayub remained composed and continued to score boundaries. His dismissal in the 39th over left Pakistan with 40 runs to get from 62 deliveries.
Salman Ali Agha took responsibility and remained unbeaten on 82, guiding Pakistan to victory with only three wickets remaining.
South Africa's Challenge
Earlier, South Africa's top order suffered a collapse, thanks to the efforts of part-time spinner Salman, who picked up three crucial wickets. Heinrich Klaasen provided some resistance with a well-played 86, but Pakistan's bowlers maintained their discipline and restricted the visitors to 239 all out.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Saim Ayub?
Saim Ayub is a 22-year-old Pakistani cricketer who made his ODI debut in 2021. Known for his aggressive batting style, he has impressed with his consistency and big-hitting ability.
2. What is Ayub's ODI record?
In 20 ODIs, Ayub has scored 677 runs at an average of 30.76. He has two centuries and three half-centuries to his name.
3. What was South Africa's total?
South Africa posted a competitive total of 239 all out in their allotted 50 overs.
4. Who was South Africa's top scorer?
Heinrich Klaasen was South Africa's highest scorer with 86 runs off 92 deliveries.
5. What was Pakistan's winning margin?
Pakistan won the match by three wickets with just three balls to spare.
Barcelona is taking urgent measures to keep Dani Olmo and Pau Victor registered for the rest of the season. With La Liga and the RFEF rejecting their application for licences, the Catalan side is turning to the Ministry for Sport (CSD) for an emergency suspension to prevent the duo from signing with other clubs and unable to play for Barcelona. Whether they win the case is irrelevant, as the precautionary measure would allow Olmo and Victor to play while the issue is being resolved. It has become a matter of state for Barcelona, with calls for President Joan Laporta to resign and AC Milan showing interest in Olmo.
In their final league game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Tamil Nadu emerged victorious against Chhattisgarh by 73 runs. This win secured Tamil Nadu's spot in the knockouts, finishing second in Group D with 18 points. They will now take on Rajasthan in the pre-quarterfinals on January 9 in Vadodara.
With persistent snow causing doubts over the fixture, the high-profile Premier League encounter between arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United has finally been given the green light. The two teams have had contrasting seasons, with Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the table while United struggles in 14th place. However, the adverse weather conditions may pose a challenge for both sides during the match at Anfield, with supporters' safety also being a major concern.
Barcelona's midfield star Dani Olmo and forward Pau Victor will not be able to play for the club in the second half of the La Liga season, as their extended registrations have been rejected by Spanish football authorities. The club's attempt to extend their registrations has been rejected by the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga, as well as two previous court rulings. Barcelona's plan to file a complaint with the Spanish government in hopes of allowing the players to play has been reported by Spanish media.
Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is leaving no stones unturned in his efforts to solidify the club's position as a global powerhouse. In a recent report, Perez revealed his three-pronged strategy which includes securing top talent, transforming the iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium, and revitalizing the controversial European Super League. With a keen focus on maintaining Real Madrid's dominance on and off the field, Perez is determined to make the club a force to be reckoned with in the world of sports.
Reports of Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's separation from his wife Dhanashree Verma have sparked concern and criticism from fans on social media. While the couple has not released a statement, many of Chahal's fans have been pointing fingers at Verma, accusing her of infidelity and abuse. Some fans even suggest that Verma should follow in the footsteps of Anushka Sharma, who is married to current cricket star Virat Kohli.
As the January transfer window opens, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reveals that this will be his final season at Anfield, with his contract coming to an end in the summer. Manchester United is also in the headlines, with a potential swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Napoli's Victor Osimhen being reported. In addition to this, Real Madrid is showing interest in Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract also expires this season. Stay updated with all the latest transfer news and football deals through our live blog.
Despite a dominant 4-0 victory against fourth-division club Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, Barcelona's ongoing struggle to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor was once again denied by the Spanish league and national federation. The missed deadline to comply with financial fair-play rules has caused embarrassment and may result in the club resorting to the courts to register the players. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski led the team to their first win of the year with two goals, supported by Eric García and Pablo Torre's contributions.
During Day 3 of the fifth and final Test between India and Australia, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was seen practicing in the field but also spending a lot of time with the medical team. However, he was still not seen on the field during the match, which caused alarm for the Indian team. According to reports, Bumrah was experiencing back spasms and may be unable to bowl, which could greatly impact India's chances of defending their lead in the match. Stay updated with all the latest news and updates on News24.
Vidarbha captain Karun Nair has made history in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The right-handed batter has the most amount of runs without being dismissed in List A cricket after scoring four consecutive centuries in India's premier domestic 50-over competition. Nair's unbeaten knock of 112 in their match against Jammu & Kashmir kicked off his remarkable streak, followed by scores of 44, 163*, 111*, and 112 against Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. At the top of Group D with 20 points and a net run-rate of +1.433, Nair and Vidarbha are dominating the tournament.