Fakhar Zaman delivered a remarkable performance by scoring a brilliant century in a crucial match against New Zealand at the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in Bengaluru on November 4. His exceptional innings of 126 runs from 81 balls played a significant role in his team’s victory by 21 runs through the DLS method.
While chasing a substantial target of 402 runs, Fakhar Zaman faced the early dismissal of his opening partner, Abdullah Shafique, in just the second over. However, the required run rate was so high that he couldn’t afford to begin cautiously.
During the fifth over, Fakhar Zaman aggressively attacked Trent Boult, hitting him for a boundary and a six. He continued his assault in Boult’s subsequent over with another six, and he also smashed sixes against Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner.
With his powerful batting style and a mighty swing of the bat, Zaman made hitting boundaries seem effortless and seemed capable of sending any ball over the boundary. After reaching his fifty in 39 balls, he went on to dominate off-spinner Glenn Phillips, smashing three sixes and two fours in just eight deliveries.
Fakhar Zaman played an amazing cricket innings, scoring 126 not out, to help Pakistan win a crucial match against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He was named the Player of the Match. This performance also set some new records in the tournament.
#1 The partnership Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam had is the best ever for Pakistan in ODI World Cups
Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam showed impressive batting skills for Pakistan, putting together an unbroken partnership of 194 runs in just 141 deliveries. Zaman was more aggressive, while Babar also contributed with well-timed boundaries.
Fakhar Zaman’s powerful shots provided Babar Azam with the freedom to play his natural game. Their partnership of 194 runs equals the highest ever for Pakistan in ODI World Cups. They share this record with Saeed Anwar and Wajatullah Wasti, who achieved the same feat in the 1999 ODI World Cup.
#2 Matching the record for most sixes in a single ODI innings by a Pakistani batsman
Exploiting the favorable batting conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Fakhar Zaman took full advantage and comfortably dispatched the New Zealand bowlers.
He primarily aimed towards the leg-side, consistently clearing the boundary. In his undefeated innings, the 33-year-old struck eight fours and a remarkable 11 sixes.
Fakhar Zaman’s 11 sixes equal the highest number of sixes in a single ODI innings by any Pakistani batter. This record was previously held solely by Shahid Afridi, who hit 11 sixes during his 102 off 40 balls against Sri Lanka in a 1996 ODI in Nairobi.
In addition, Zaman’s 11 sixes set a new record for the most sixes by a Pakistani batter in a single ODI World Cup innings, surpassing Imran Nazir’s previous record of eight sixes against Zimbabwe in 2007.
#3 The quickest ODI World Cup century by a Pakistani batter
We’ve seen impressive centuries in the 2023 ODI World Cup, and Zaman added to that with a remarkable hundred. He reached his century in just 63 balls, making it the fastest ever in ODI World Cups for Pakistan.
Before, Imran Nazir had the record, taking 95 balls to reach his century against Zimbabwe in the 2007 ODI World Cup.
Zaman’s unbeaten 126 runs are now the third-highest score by a Pakistani in ODI World Cups, following Imran Nazir’s 160 against Zimbabwe and Mohammad Rizwan’s 131 not out against Sri Lanka.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
