Pakistan opening batter Saim Ayub expressed his thoughts after narrowly missing out on a well-deserved maiden T20I century against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Friday.
Saim played a blistering knock of 98* off 57 balls, peppered with five sixes and 11 fours to set up Pakistan’s total of 206-5 in the second T20I of three-match series against South Africa.
He missed out on his century as he did not get to play any ball in the final over.
During the post-match press conference, Saim Ayub was asked about missing out on the chance to get his maiden century in the format.
“Opportunities will come; this isn’t the last chance or last day for me to score a hundred. What’s most important is contributing to the team,” Saim stated.
“If the team isn’t winning, then a hundred doesn’t matter. But, if the team wins, even a score of 90 or 80 is enough.”
South Africa have achieved an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, and the dead rubber third T20I will be played in Johannesburg today.
Read more: New Zealand delegation reviews Karachi Stadium for upcoming tri-series
Batting first, Pakistan set a victory target of 207 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.
On the other side, South Africa accomplished the target in 19.3 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Opener Reeza Hendricks smashed 117 runs from 63 balls to direct South Africa to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 Worldwide at Centurion Park on Friday. South Africa guaranteed the three-match series 2-0 with a game in excess.
Pakistan elected to bat first and was helped by opener Saim Ayub’s unbeaten 98 off 57 balls to reach 206 for 5 in the 20th over. However, on a good batting wicket, South Africa overcame a slow start and then arrived at their target with three balls in excess as the splendid Hendricks scored a maiden T20 international century, which included 10 sixes.
He, along with Rassie van der Dussen, scored 157 for his team and remained unbeaten on 66 off 38 balls to guide the hosts across the finish line.
It is a record for the third wicket for South Africa, while Hendricks arrived at 50 for the eighteenth time in T20 internationals, the most for South Africa and one more than Quinton de Kock.
The third and last match of the series will be played in Johannesburg on Saturday before the teams play three one-day internationals and two tests in an all-format visit.