Salman Ali Agha shares ‘Man of the Match’ award with Saim Ayub after thrilling ODI win
In a heartwarming gesture of sportsmanship, Pakistan’s all-rounder Salman Ali Agha handed over his “Man of the Match” award to young opener Saim Ayub following Pakistan’s thrilling victory over South Africa in the first ODI at Paarl. Ayub’s brilliant century and Agha’s all-round heroics played pivotal roles in the team’s success.
Chasing a competitive target of 240 set by South Africa, Pakistan’s victory was anything but straightforward. South Africa had earlier struggled after losing quick wickets, slumping to 88 for 4. Heinrich Klaasen revived their innings with a gritty 86, building crucial partnerships with Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen to push the hosts to a respectable total.
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Young opener Saim Ayub rose to the occasion, delivering a stellar 109 off 112 balls, an innings studded with 10 boundaries and two sixes. His calm approach at the crease anchored Pakistan’s chase during a challenging phase. With wickets falling early, Ayub’s innings proved to be the cornerstone of the successful run chase.
In addition to supporting Ayub with the bat, Salman Ali Agha was outstanding with the ball. His four-wicket haul in the middle overs dismantled South Africa’s lower order, preventing the hosts from posting an even bigger total. With the bat, Agha played a mature unbeaten innings of 82, which included four boundaries and two sixes, guiding Pakistan across the finish line.
Despite being named “Man of the Match” for his all-round performance, Salman Ali Agha’s heartfelt gesture of sharing the award with Saim Ayub captured everyone’s attention. Agha praised the young batter’s contribution, acknowledging its importance in the win.
“His knock set up the game for us. If he hadn’t played like that, we wouldn’t have won. We were behind, but he scored a hundred, and it was an amazing feat. Hence, he deserves the award,” Agha stated after the match.
Both players shared a moment of camaraderie, posing together with the trophy, which was applauded by fans and cricket experts alike.
Pakistan’s captain Muhammad Rizwan also commended Agha’s gesture, noting its positive impact on team morale. “Salman’s gesture really boosts the morale of the team. Moments like these highlight the unity and support within our squad,” Rizwan said.
Pakistan’s victory gives them a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second ODI is scheduled to take place on Thursday, where South Africa will aim to bounce back and level the series.
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