Saim Ayub breaks record with historic innings against South Africa

Pakistan cricket team opener Saim Ayub made history in the second ODI against South Africa on Tuesday at Boland Park, Paarl.

The 22-year-old batsman became the youngest player to score a century against South Africa, achieving the milestone with a brilliant 109 off 119 balls while chasing a target of 240 runs.

Despite a shaky start, with Pakistan losing four wickets for just 60 runs, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha built a crucial 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket to lead their team to a hard-fought victory.

Pakistan eventually edged out South Africa by three wickets to secure the win.

Saim’s innings included 10 boundaries and three sixes. 

At 22 years and 207 days, he surpassed legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, who previously held the record for the youngest centurion against South Africa at 23 years and 297 days in 1993.

Saim Ayub also left behind South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who reached this milestone at 23 years and 48 days in 2016.

Overall, Saim became the third-youngest player to score a century against South Africa in ODI cricket. 

He now joined Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in this remarkable achievement.

Middle-order batsman Salman Ali Agha, who also delivered an all-round performance in the match, presented his Man of the Match award to Saim Ayub in recognition of his historic innings.

In addition to his key partnership with Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha set a unique record in ODI cricket.

He became the seventh player in history to score 80 or more runs and take four wickets in a single ODI match.

Salman’s remarkable feat places him alongside cricketing greats like Sir Vivian Richards, Graeme Hick, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, Mohammad Hafeez, and A Ilyas.