SA vs PAK: Saim Ayub stranded at 98* after Pak lower order's blitzkrieg

Saim Ayub was unfortunate to have missed out on a hundred as he remained stranded at 98* in the 2nd T20I between South Africa and Pakistan. However, the Pakistan opener, alongside their lower-middle order propelled the visitors to a competitive total of 206/5 vs South Africa at The Supersport Park in Centurion. What could have been the 2nd fastest hundred for Pakistan in T20Is turned out to be an unbeaten 98 by the youngster. Amid the late blitzkrieg by Abbas Afridi, who played out the entire 20th over, Ayub did not get the chance to complete his century.

Ayub had a slow start to his innings when he managed only 4 runs in 9 deliveries. However, he soon switched gears inside the powerplay and took on the teen speedster Kwena Maphaka. In the 5th over, Ayub slammed a six and two fours before the bowler made a comeback, delivering three dot deliveries. The highlight of Ayub’s scintillating knock was his no-look six vs Ferreira, which was 94 meters.

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X users hail Ayub’s selflessness

He stitched an 87-run partnership with Babar Azam and notched up his maiden T20I fifty within 33 balls. Ayub held fort from one end as wickets started falling in clusters for Pakistan on the other end. He yet again targeted Maphaka as he gave away 22 runs in a single over and in no time Ayub was at 89 from just 51 balls. He got great support from Pakistan’s lower-order as Irfan Khan slammed a quick-fire 30 from 16 balls.

How Saim Ayub missed out on hundred?

He was dismissed on the 2nd ball of the final over and Abbas walked in to hit a six of the first ball he faced, followed by a dot delivery. On the penultimate delivery, Abbas hit a boundary which meant Ayub was not going to get on strike. In a great display of sportsmanship and selflessness, Ayub was still encouraging his partner. Eventually, there was an expression of grief on his face as he missed out on a well-deserved to hundred.