In a historic achievement, Pakistan has become the first team to whitewash South Africa in a men’s One-Day International (ODI) series at home. The remarkable feat, completed on December 23, 2024, following a comprehensive victory in the third ODI, highlights Pakistan’s dominance and growing strength in the 50-over format.
South Africa, traditionally a strong force in their home conditions, was left stunned by Pakistan’s clinical performance throughout the series. The final ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, which was expected to be a hard-fought contest, ended in another one-sided affair, with Pakistan emerging victorious by 56 runs. This win secured a 3-0 series sweep, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s cricket history.
Pakistan’s triumph can be attributed to an all-round team effort. The batsmen set the tone early in the series, with standout performances from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Babar, the Pakistani captain, continued to display his class, consistently anchoring the innings with patient and stylish knocks, while Fakhar’s aggressive strokes provided the team with the much-needed impetus in the middle overs. In the third ODI, Pakistan posted a challenging total of 285/7, with Babar contributing an elegant 85 runs, while Fakhar added 62 off 56 balls.
South Africa, in response, struggled to cope with the pressure created by Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. The South African batting lineup failed to fire across all three matches, and the team could not build significant partnerships. In the third ODI, they were bowled out for just 229 runs, with only Aiden Markram showing some resistance, scoring 78 runs. Pakistan’s bowlers, spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr., were exceptional in all departments. Shaheen’s pace and bounce caused constant trouble for the South African batsmen, while Wasim’s variations kept the opposition on the back foot.
Pakistan and their fielding was another key aspect of their success. The team displayed sharp and energetic fielding throughout the series, with exceptional catches and direct hits that added to the pressure on South Africa. The team’s overall discipline in the field was a stark contrast to South Africa’s inconsistency, which was evident in their misfielding and lapses in concentration.