Saim AyoubA promising talent from Pakistanrecently made headlines by joining an elite group of cricketers who have scored three ODI centuries before turning 23. Superb performance in the rain-affected third ODI vs South Africa On 22 December, he not only showcased his batting prowess but also cemented his status as one of cricket's rising stars.
Saim Ayoub's amazing performance in Johannesburg
Ayub's journey to the feat was marked by a brilliant innings of 101 runs off just 94 balls, taking Pakistan to a total of 308/9. This match, played in Johannesburg, was pivotal as it allowed Pakistan to achieve a historic whitewash against South Africa in a bilateral ODI series at home. Ayub's innings was characterized by a mixture of controlled aggression and elegant batting play. He reached his half-century in 51 balls and accelerated his scoring with powerful shots, including a memorable six Marco Jansen. Its horn is crowned with a clear cut Aiden Markram Before being sent off while attempting an ambitious scoop shot.
Read also: Saim Ayyub's stellar ton leads Pakistan to a historic ODI whitewash over South Africa
Ayoub joins the ranks of legends
With his third ODI century, Ayub has now joined the ranks of cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. This achievement is particularly significant considering that he achieved the feat in just nine matches, racking up an impressive average of 64.37. The list of players who have scored three or more ODI centuries before the age of 23 includes:
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa): 8 centuries in 52 matches
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): 8 centuries in 46 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar (India): 8 centuries in 116 matches
- Virat Kohli (India): 7 centuries in 69 matches
- Babar Azam (Pakistan): 6 centuries in 32 matches
- Ahmed Shehzad (Pakistan): 5 centuries in 51 matches
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan): 3 centuries in 9 matches
Ayub's ability to perform under pressure and maintain consistency is a major boost for Pakistan as they prepare for the upcoming major tournaments, including the World Cup. Champions Cup 2025 And the ODI series vs New Zealand.
With the Champions Trophy looming in February and an ODI series against New Zealand scheduled for March, Ayub has ample opportunities to enhance his reputation on the global stage. His aggressive batting style and knack for quick runs make him an invaluable asset to the Pakistani team.
