Pakistan opener Saim Ayub creates HISTORY in 2nd ODI, became first player to…

New Delhi: Saim Ayub, the young left-handed batsman from Pakistan, has shown the cricket fraternity why he is considered one of the best among the new cricketers emerging on the international platform. He played an astonishing innings and helped his side level the series 1-1 in a do-or-die match after a humiliating defeat in the first ODI against Zimbabwe.

The Mohammad Rizwan bowlers went through the entire Zimbabwean batting lineup and restricted them to a meager total of 145 runs. In response, Saim Ayub had some bills to settle with the side in orange and yellow from the first ODI. He produced a flawless performance, scoring an astonishing century off just 53 balls, making a mockery of the target in just 18.2 overs to level the series 1-1. Ayub was unbeaten on 113 off 62 balls, which included seventeen fours and three sixes.

This is the joint-third fastest century by a Pakistan batter in ODI cricket, behind Afridi’s 37 and 45-ball centuries. Afridi also scored a 53-ball ton.

What history has Saim Ayub created?

Ayub has made history as the first player to score a century in an ODI when the team’s total was under 150. The previous record for the lowest team total with a century was held by an Scottish batsman, who posted 157-0 against Namibia in a Cricket World Cup League 2 match in 2023. George Munsey scored an unbeaten 103 off 61 balls in that 10-wicket win for Scotland.

Ramiz Raja held the record for Pakistan’s lowest team total with a century, scoring 119 in the 1992 World Cup against New Zealand while chasing 167.

Ayub, who made his ODI and Test debuts for Pakistan earlier this year, earned his first T20I cap in 2023. Prior to his stunning performance in Bulawayo, Ayub had only four 50+ scores in international cricket.

Pakistan will play Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI on Thursday, November 28.