During the third ODI between South Africa and Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 22, a South African couple received special attention as they became parents to a healthy baby boy. The heartwarming moment was highlighted when the stadium’s giant screen displayed a congratulatory message for the couple during a break in play, just after Pakistan’s Saim Ayub brought up his third ODI century.
The couple’s joyous occasion coincided with an exciting contest between the two teams on Pink Day. Pakistan, after losing opening batter Abdullah Shafique for a first-ball duck, recovered to post a competitive total of over 300 runs in the 47-over-a-side match. Saim Ayub played a starring role, scoring 101 runs off 94 balls, including 13 boundaries and two sixes. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan also contributed with solid half-centuries to support the visitors’ cause.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka delivered key breakthroughs, with Maphaka dismissing the well-set Babar Azam. Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin also played an important role, taking two wickets in two overs to finish with figures of 2-56.
Pakistan had already secured the series by winning the first two ODIs, but a victory in this match would complete a 3-0 sweep. Such a result would provide a much-needed boost for Pakistan ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
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