Saim Ayub scored his third ODI century in just his ninth game in the format today (December 22) in Johannesburg, as Pakistan posted over 300 in their bid to sweep the three-match series against South Africa.
Having scored a century in the first match of the series, Ayub repeated the feat in the third with a 94-ball 101. His opening partner Abdullah Shafique got out for a golden duck in the second ball of the innings after Pakistan came on. bat. From there, Ayub shared a 114-run stand with Babar Azam, who posted 50 before hitting a short ball from Kwena Maphaka to mid-wicket.
Ayub then put on another fine stand alongside Mohammad Rizwan, who was just seven runs short of a century partnership before Ayub was dismissed. Having reached a half-century off 51 balls amid a barrage of short bowling from the South African quicks, Ayub kept up the pace as he approached three figures. He hit Marco Jansen for a six with his pads to move into the 90s, before reaching his century in singles. His hundred came up with a cut through the sheets from Aiden Markram, coming off just 91 balls.
However, he could only face two more deliveries before sending a short ball to Heinrich Klaasen, who was looking to go over his leg. Pakistan posted 308-9 in 47 overs in a rain-shortened innings.
Ayub’s century was his third in ODI cricket, having made his debut just seven weeks ago. Of the nine matches he has played so far, his average is 64.37, with half a century left to complete his hundreds.
Still five months away from turning 23, he is also rocketing up the list of players with the most centuries before turning 23. He is now level with Kane Williamson and compatriot Salman Butt, and just one behind Shakib Al Hasan. With the Champions Trophy set to begin in February, plus Pakistan taking on New Zealand in an ODI series in March, Ayub will have plenty of opportunities to advance further up the order.
Full list: Most men’s ODI centuries before turning 23
| Player | Matches before turning 23 | Equipment | Ages |
| Quinton de Kock | 52 | South Africa | 8 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 46 | Afghanistan | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 116 | India | 8 |
| Virat Kohli | 69 | India | 7 |
| Babar Azam | 32 | Pakistan | 6 |
| Upul Tharanga | 65 | Sri Lanka | 6 |
| Ahmed Shehzad | 51 | Pakistan | 5 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 43 | West Indies | 5 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 33 | Afghanistan | 5 |
| Paul Stirling | 42 | Ireland | 5 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | 16 | Pakistan | 4 |
| Shahriar Nafees | 58 | Bangladesh | 4 |
| Shakib Al-Hasan | 85 | Bangladesh | 4 |
| Shaib Malik | 90 | Pakistan | 4 |
| Anamul Haque | 30 | Bangladesh | 3 |
| Saim Ayub | 9 | Pakistan | 3 |
| salman butt | 36 | Pakistan | 3 |
| Shahid Afridi | 175 | Pakistan | 3 |
| Tamim Iqbal | 111 | Bangladesh | 3 |
| Kane Williamson | 45 | New Zealand | 3 |
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