Fakhar Zaman followed up his match-winning ton in the first ODI against New Zealand with a bigger, better century as Pakistan trounced their opponents by seven wickets in the second ODI in Rawalpindi.
Put in to bat first, New Zealand posted a huge total of 336/5 in their 50 overs, riding on the back of Daryl Mitchell’s superb innings of 129 off 119 balls. The big-hitting all-rounder was ably supported by skipper Tom Latham, who scored 98 off 85 balls. Haris Rauf stood out with the ball for the hosts, taking 4/78 in his 10-over spell.
In reply, Zaman picked up where he left off in the first game, where he had scored 117 off 114 balls to help his side to victory. Pakistan’s 50 was brought up in the 7th over as the two openers began strongly. Despite the departure of Imam-ul-haq in the 10th over, Zaman continued to strike the ball freely around the pitch, reaching his half-century in 44 balls. Alongside skipper Babar Azam, Zaman batted the New Zealand bowlers into submission.
The duo brought up their 100-run partnership in quick time, with Zaman taking on the role of the aggressor. The stylish southpaw soon reached three figures, this one coming off just 83 balls with the help of 14 fours and two sixes. Azam’s half-century followed soon, but Zaman’s big hitting ensured that the spotlight remained on him. Azam departed for 65 off 66 balls, having put on 135 runs for the second wicket, but Zaman remained undeterred even as Agha Salman was dismissed soon after.
In the company of Mohammad Rizwan, Zaman went up a gear, putting on a display of counter-attacking batting as the duo looked to finish off the chase quickly. Their 50-run partnership came up in just 37 balls, with Zaman crossing the 150-run mark soon after, that too of just 125 balls. The second 50 of the partnership was even quicker than the first, with the duo putting on 100 runs in just 69 balls as the target loomed into sight. Rizwas brought up a well-deserved half-century off 40 balls before Pakistan coasted home with seven wickets in the shed and 10 balls to spare.
Zaman picked up another man of the match award for his stunning 180* off just 144 balls, an innings studded with 17 fours and six sixes. This was his third successive ODI hundred and perhaps the most impressive one, as it snuffed out any chance New Zealand had of winning this match despite posting a target well in excess of 300.
Here’s a look at how fans reacted to Fakhar’s knock:
What an amazing innings by @FakharZamanLive
Congratulations @TheRealPCB @babarazam258 and Pakistan for this marvelous win against @BLACKCAPS, Stay Blessed ?? guys— Afzal Malik (@afzmalik) April 29, 2023
Absolutely brilliant performance ?? #FakharZaman
— Sheikh Faheem ??? ???? (@SheikhF32446479) April 29, 2023
Fakhar Zaman Scored 180 As a tribute to Pakistan's victory by 180 runs in the CT17 Final.
Pak vs Nz— Faizan Mewati ? (@FaizOfficialll) April 29, 2023
Neighbours be scared !
— Mahnoor ? (@Mahnoor_khan26) April 29, 2023
Brilliant by Fakhar zaman tribute to India 170 all out ???
— MUHIB (@mk_khn1) April 29, 2023
Absolutely brilliant! WhT a dominating performance! ?? congrats ??
— Syeda Nain Abidi ????? (@SyedaNain18) April 29, 2023
Boom boom fakhar
— Bilal Hanjra 87 (@bilalhanjra87) April 29, 2023
We are coming for to take this world cup InshaAllah
— Mir Waleed (@mirwaleed07) April 29, 2023
Brilliant batting ? #PakistanZindabad
— Ahmad Mushtaq (@iAhmadMushtaq) April 29, 2023
Fakhar-e-Pakistan ??
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy) April 29, 2023
A Fakhar Zaman special helps Pakistan take a 2-0 lead in the ODI series ?#PAKvNZ | ?: https://t.co/EijoZDh11D pic.twitter.com/VM241RlMJz
— ICC (@ICC) April 29, 2023
Alhamdullilah ? ? pic.twitter.com/2lzp0I7P7C
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) April 29, 2023
The Matchless Fakhar Zaman – Fakhar e Pakistan.
Congratulations on 3000 ODI runs and another match winning innings. @FakharZamanLive #MoreThanAthlete ? pic.twitter.com/PMX9llt6in
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) April 29, 2023
