Following Pakistan's dramatic victory over South Africa in the first ODI on Tuesday, December 17, Salman Agha made the sweet decision to share his Player of the Match award with youngster Saim Ayub. Agha took four wickets to guarantee the victory at Paarl, remained undefeated at 82, and Ayub struck an incredible 109.
When the two joined forces, Pakistan was struggling at 60 for 4, and they scored 141 runs to give the visitors the victory. To make sure Pakistan got off to a winning start, Agha stayed till the very finish of the match. After winning Player of the Match, the all-rounder chose to give it to Ayub in exchange for his knock.
Agha shares his POTM award with Ayub
Agha praises Ayub
They chose to do things one at a time since, as Agha would say, they were in a difficult situation. According to the vice-captain of Pakistan, Ayub's knock ultimately helped Pakistan win the match.
"We were in a tricky position but we took it one over at a time and built it from there. His (Ayub's) knock set up the game. He was there with the new ball and was running out of partners. The way he played the fast bowlers and scoring a hundred on this pitch was amazing," said Agha.
Ayub praised Agha for helping him during his knock and stated that he had maintained faith in his innings.
"Obviously it is difficult. We were four down and on this track you need to keep the belief. He (Agha) is more experienced than me and was guiding me," said Ayub.
In white-ball cricket, the young Pakistani player is maintaining a strong run of play. Following his valiant 98 not out in the most recent T20I defeat to the Proteas, this was Ayub's second century in three games.
