OTD | Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistani player to hit a double-hundred in ODI Cricket in their match against Zimbabwe in 2018

The wait for the first-ever double century in ODI cricket ended in early 2010 when Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to reach the mark. The former Indian star broke the 194-run record held by Saeed Anwar and Charles Coventry. In fact, Saeed Anwar’s 194 came versus India during the 1997 Independence Cup tournament. 

Ever since the double-century feat by Sachin Tendulkar versus South Africa, few more players have achieved the mark. Rohit Sharma has scored a Double Century thrice with a best of 264 versus Sri Lanka in 2014 in Kolkata and holds the record for the highest score in ODI cricket. 

Pakistan got its first-ever double centurion in ODI cricket in Fakhar Zaman. The feat came during the 4th ODI at Bulawayo, where Pakistan scored 399 runs and won by 244 runs after bowling out the hosts for 155. 

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Fakhar Zaman makes history for Pakistan 

Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and chose to bat first after the Pakistani side had already claimed the series 3-0. Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman went after the Zimbabwean attack as the pair added 304 runs for the first wicket inside 42 overs. 

Imam scored 113 runs from 122 balls in exactly three hours, with 8 hits to the fence. The star of the show was none other than Fakhar Zaman, who became the first-ever Pakistani batter to score an ODI double century. 

The left-handed opener ended the innings with 210 unbeaten runs from 156 balls, with 24 fours and five huge sixes. Once the mark was reached, there were huge cheers in the Pakistani camp as he passed national icon Saeed Anwar. This enabled Pakistan to score 399/1 from their 50 overs. Asif Ali was not out on 50 off, just 22 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes. 

Zimbabwe were all out for 155, with Donald Tiripano scoring at the top with 44 off 71 balls. Elton Chingumbura was the next best batter with 37 off 69 balls, as the Pakistani bowlers ended the game with 44 balls left to play. Shadab Khan was the highest wicket-taker with 4/28 from his 8.4 overs while Usman Shinwari and Faheem Ashraf picked 2 wickets each. 

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