OTD 2018 – Fakhar Zaman becomes first PAK batter to score ODI double ton

Fakhar Zaman is one of the better Pakistani batters in the modern era. When the Younus Khans and the Inzamam-ul-Haqs used to play for Pakistan, the Men in Green were a strong force with the bat. However, after their retirements, there was a considerable dearth in batting talent in the national team. The likes of Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal, and Nasir Jamshed showed promise, but they lacked consistency and couldn’t do justice to their potential. However, when the likes of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman made their international debut in 2015 and 2017, respectively, Pakistan knew they had unearthed special players, especially in ODI cricket.

Zaman has played only three Tests, 92 ODIs, and 119 T20Is after being in and around the national team for almost a decade. He has amassed 192, 3861, and 2494 runs across the three formats, respectively. Zaman scripted history on July 20, 2018, at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe. The southpaw became the first Pakistani batter to notch up a double century in ODI cricket. The previous highest by a batter from Pakistan was Saeed Anwar’s 194 that came against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in 1997.

Talking about Zaman’s electrifying knock, this came in the fourth ODI in a five-match series. Pakistan had already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead after winning the first three games. Zaman forged a staggering 304-run stand with Imam-ul-Haq for the first wicket. This was the first-ever 300-plus partnership for the first wicket in ODI cricket. This remained a record for almost a year before John Campbell and Shai Hope of the West Indies broke it.

After the latter was dismissed for 113, Zaman continued pulverising the Zimbabwean bowlers. The left-handed batter eventually remained unbeaten on 210 off 156 balls, belting 24 fours and five sixes. Asif Ali also scored an unbeaten 50 off 22 deliveries as the tourists finished on 399/1 in their 50 overs. This was Pakistan’s highest-ever team total in ODI cricket at the time.

In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 155, chasing an improbable 400-run target. Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, as he picked up four wickets and conceded just 28 runs in 8.4 overs.

It was obvious that Fakhar Zaman won the Player of the Match award. He had enthralled the fans with his scintillating stroke play. He was equally brutal against seamers and pacers. Zimbabwean captain Hamilton Masakadza had tried six bowling options. However, apart from Tendai Chisoro, no other bowler managed to maintain an economy rate of below 6. In fact, the second-best economy rate in the innings was Blessing Muzarabani’s 7.70. The Asian giants eventually won the series 5-0. Zaman was awarded Player of the Series after finishing as the highest run-getter.

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