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Pakistan’s rising star Saim Ayub etched his name in cricketing history by breaking a 31-year-old record set by the legendary West Indian batter Brian Lara. Saim’s anchoring century in the first ODI against South Africa played on Tuesday proved pivotal in Pakistan’s thrilling three-wicket victory.
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A Record-Breaking Century
The 22-year-old opener dazzled with a sublime knock of 109 runs off 119 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and three sixes. His innings, which marked his second ODI century, played a crucial role in Pakistan’s successful chase.
With this performance, Saim Ayub became the youngest player to score a century against South Africa in ODIs while chasing, surpassing Brian Lara, who achieved the feat at the age of 23 in 1993.
Youngest to Score an ODI Century Against South Africa While Chasing
| Player | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | 22 Years, 207 Days | 2024 |
| Brian Lara | 23 Years, 297 Days | 1993 |
| AC Parore | 23 Years, 322 Days | 1994 |
| Tatenda Taibu | 24 Years, 104 Days | 2007 |
| Kevin Pietersen | 24 Years, 227 Days | 2005 |
Youngest Century in South Africa While Chasing
Saim also became the youngest batter to score a century in South Africa while chasing, breaking the record held by former Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who achieved this milestone at the age of 23 in 2016.
Youngest Centuries in South Africa While Chasing
| Player | Age | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Saim Ayub | 22 Years, 207 Days | 2024 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 Years, 48 Days | 2016 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 Years, 54 Days | 2016 |
| Quinton de Kock | 23 Years, 288 Days | 2016 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 23 Years, 291 Days | 1997 |
Third-Youngest to Score an ODI Century Against South Africa
Overall, Saim is the third-youngest batter to score a century against South Africa in ODIs, trailing only Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, both of whom achieved their tons on South African soil.
Key Partnership and Victory
While Saim’s heroics set the stage for Pakistan’s success, it was Salman Ali Agha who sealed the victory with an all-round performance. Salman scored an unbeaten 82 runs and claimed four wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award.
The two batters shared a 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket, which turned the game in Pakistan’s favor after early setbacks.
Saim Ayub’s record-breaking innings not only helped Pakistan secure a hard-fought victory but also marked a significant milestone in his budding career. At just 22 years old, Saim’s achievements signal a bright future for the talented left-handed batter on the international stage.
