NEW DELHI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed his gratitude and pride following his team’s first-ever clean sweep series win in South Africa, marking a historic moment in Pakistan cricket.
Taking to X, Rizwan credited the victory to divine blessings, national prayers, and the relentless effort of his players.
“Allah pak ki Rehmat, pori qaum ki duaon or hamare tamam players ki khas mehnat se we made history. Each and every person chipped in and played a role in this historic series win for Pakistan. Grateful to you all for your prayers and support. Hum mehnat kerte rahain ge or ap dua,” Rizwan wrote, capturing the collective joy of the team and fans.
The series saw the emergence of young opener Saim Ayub as Pakistan’s frontline star. Ayub smashed two centuries in the series, including a scintillating 101 off 94 balls in the third ODI at Johannesburg. Pakistan posted 308/9, and despite Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive 81 off 43 balls, South Africa fell 36 runs short of the rain-adjusted target.
Ayub’s consistent performances earned him the Player of the Series award, with 235 runs at an average of 78.33 and a strike rate of over 96. Speaking about Ayub after the match, Rizwan said, “We trust him and believe in his talent. I do not want to praise him more; he is already showing what he is capable of.”
This victory caps a significant achievement for Pakistan, as they secured their first-ever clean sweep series win on South African soil. Rizwan also highlighted the team’s unity and resilience, stating, “It is not easy playing away from home. The guys had trust in each other, and that made all the difference.”
