Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s left-handed dynamo, etched his name in World Cup history with a breathtaking display of power hitting against New Zealand. In the midst of a challenging chase, the southpaw unleashed a scorching knock to record his 11th ODI century in just 63 balls. His audacious innings featured a staggering 9 sixes and 7 fours, underlining his prowess as a match-winner.
Virender Sehwag Hails Fakhar’s Brilliance
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, known for his candid commentary on the game, took to social media to shower accolades on Pakistan’s opener. Sehwag, who had previously lauded Rachin Ravindra for his three-figure mark, praised Fakhar Zaman’s remarkable performance. He expressed his admiration for Fakhar’s batting prowess and couldn’t fathom why the explosive opener had spent a significant part of the tournament on the bench.
“What an innings by Fakhar Zaman, by far Pakistan’s best batter. Which brains kept him on the bench for the best part of the tournament, God knows. Protein ki bhi kami nahin, jajbe ki bhi. #NZvsPak,” Sehwag wrote.
In a high-octane encounter, Pakistan was cruising at 160/1 in 21 overs when rain disrupted play in Bengaluru. With Pakistan holding a 10-run advantage on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, the outcome favoured the sub-continent team if the match did not resume. Fakhar Zaman, unbeaten on a scintillating 106 runs off 69 balls, and Babar Azam, batting on 47 runs off 51 balls, were at the crease when the heavens intervened.
New Zealand’s Record-Breaking Total
New Zealand, earlier in the match, blazed their way to their highest-ever score in the history of the ODI World Cup. Rachin Ravindra, who crafted a brilliant 108 runs off 94 balls, and skipper Kane Williamson, who contributed 95 runs off 79 balls, propelled the Kiwis to a formidable total of 401/7 in 50 overs.
Fakhar Zaman’s remarkable return to the playing XI in the previous game against Bangladesh foreshadowed his explosive innings against New Zealand. His 81 runs not only played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 7-wicket win but also earned him the Player of the Match honours, solidifying his stature as a game-changer.
Amidst the drama and brilliance of Fakhar Zaman’s century, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of this World Cup thriller.
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