Fakhar Zaman celebrates with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam after scoring a century during the second one-day match against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, on April 29, 2023. PHOTO: AFP
Fakhar Zaman smashed his third consecutive ODI century to lead Pakistan to a remarkable record-breaking seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
The Pakistan opener hit 17 boundaries and six massive sixes during his unbeaten knock of 180 not out as the Asian side successfully chased down New Zealand’s healthy total of 336-5 with 10 deliveries to spare.
It was Pakistan’s second highest successful chase in ODIs but Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said they had always believed they could do it.
“After the first innings we had a discussion and told each other we have chased down similar totals in the past and we can do it again,” he said.
“I think that was Fakher’s best innings and the way he played astonished me.”
The series now moves on to Karachi for the remaining three matches in the series on Wednesday, Friday and next Sunday.
“I think you have to take your hats off to Fakhar, the way he played was outstanding,” said Latham.
It was Fakhar’s third ODI century in a row, and came after his 117 in the series opener on Thursday. He also scored a century against New Zealand in the last game of the previous series between the two sides earlier this year.
” It was my lucky day to score again against New Zealand,” Fakhar said after he was dropped in Jimmy Neesham’s successive overs after his half-century off 44 balls with 10 boundaries.
“I get a lot of liberty while playing with [Mohammad] Rizwan and he made things easier for me. I was told to stay at the crease till the end,” he continued.
“We definitely believe we can come back and get back into this series. The way we’ve been batting, we’ve got better and better, we just need to find ways to create more pressure with the ball,” added Latham.
