Saim Ayub continued his red-hot form across formats with the second ODI century of his career during the series opener against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday (December 17) as Pakistan took a 1-0 lead with a nail-biting three-wicket victory.

Walking out to chase a modest total of 240, Pakistan lost early wickets as Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and Kamran Ghulam made single-digit scores while Babar Azam's poor run of form continued as the former Pakistan skipper departed after making just 23 runs in 38 balls.

However, Ayub and Salman Agha kept Pakistan on track in the chase with a 141-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Ayub made a knock of 109 runs in 119 balls before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. Ayub's stunning ton comes less than a month after his maiden century in Zimbabwe.

With his ton, Ayub set a world record for becoming the youngest player in the world to score a century against South Africa in ODI cricket while chasing. The 22-year-old broke Brian Lara's 31-year-old record. He is the first player to reach the three-figure knock against the Proteas in the second innings before his 23rd birthday.

Youngest To Score Century vs South Africa While Chasing

Player	Age	Year
Saim Ayub	22 Years, 207 Days	2024
Brian Lara	23 Years, 297 Days	1993
AC Parore	23 Years, 322 Days	1994
T Taibu	24 Years, 104 Days	2007
Kevin Pietersen	24 Years, 227 Days	2005

Ayub has also set the record for being the youngest to score a century in South Africa while chasing. Previously, the record was held by Quinton de Kock, who made his first ton in the second innings at home aged 23 years, 48 days against England in 2016.

Overall, Ayub is the third youngest player to score a century vs South Africa in ODI cricket behind Ahmed Shehzad (22 years, four days) and Kane Williamson (22 Years, 167 Days). Both Shehzad and Williamson's ton also came on South African soil.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.