Saim Ayub scored his third ODI century in just his ninth game in the format today (December 22) in Johannesburg, as Pakistan posted over 300 in their bid to clean-sweep the three-match series against South Africa.
Having scored a century in the first match of the series, Ayub repeated the feat in the third with a 94-ball 101. His opening partner, Abdullah Shafique was out for a golden duck off the second ball of the innings after Pakistan were put in to bat. From there, Ayub shared a 114-run stand with Babar Azam, who registered 50 before hitting a short ball from Kwena Maphaka to midwicket.
Ayub then went on to put together another big stand alongside Mohammad Rizwan, which was only seven runs short of a century partnership before Ayub was dismissed. Having reached a half-century off 51 balls amid a barrage of short-pitched bowling from South Africa's quicks, Ayub kept up the pace as he neared three figures. He hit Marco Jansen for a six off his pads to move into the 90s, before getting to his century in singles. His hundred came up with a cut through the covers off Aiden Markram, coming off just 91 balls.
However, he was only able to face another two deliveries before he gloved a short ball to Heinrich Klaasen, having been looking to scoop over fine leg. Pakistan went on to post 308-9 off 47 overs in a rain reduced innings.
Ayub's century was his third in ODI cricket, having made his debut only seven weeks ago. From the nine matches he's played so far, his average is 64.37, with one half-century to go alongside his hundreds.
Still five months away from his 23rd birthday, he's also shooting up the list of players with the most centuries before turning 23. He's now level with Kane Williamson and compatriot Salman Butt, and only one short of Shakib Al Hasan. With the Champions Trophy set to start in February, as well as Pakistan being due to face New Zealand in an ODI series in March, Ayub will have plenty of opportunities to move even further up the list.
Full list: Most men's ODI centuries before turning 23
| Player | Matches before turning 23 | Team | Centuries |
| Quinton de Kock | 52 | South Africa | 8 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 46 | Afghanistan | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 116 | India | 8 |
| Virat Kohli | 69 | India | 7 |
| Babar Azam | 32 | Pakistan | 6 |
| Upul Tharanga | 65 | Sri Lanka | 6 |
| Ahmed Shehzad | 51 | Pakistan | 5 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 43 | West Indies | 5 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 33 | Afghanistan | 5 |
| Paul Stirling | 42 | Ireland | 5 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | 16 | Pakistan | 4 |
| Shahriar Nafees | 58 | Bangladesh | 4 |
| Shakib Al Hasan | 85 | Bangladesh | 4 |
| Shoaib Malik | 90 | Pakistan | 4 |
| Anamul Haque | 30 | Bangladesh | 3 |
| Saim Ayub | 9 | Pakistan | 3 |
| Salman Butt | 36 | Pakistan | 3 |
| Shahid Afridi | 175 | Pakistan | 3 |
| Tamim Iqbal | 111 | Bangladesh | 3 |
| Kane Williamson | 45 | New Zealand | 3 |
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