By recording the quickest century for Pakistan in World Cup history against New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman has cemented his place in cricket history during an exciting and pivotal World Cup match. The fact that this incredible achievement occurred in a game the Green Shirts had to win makes Fakhar’s outstanding innings all the more noteworthy. Fakhar’s exceptional innings consisted of an impressive display of power and finesse, including 9 sixes and 7 fours.
Not only did Fakhar Zaman’s explosive performance electrify the cricket world, but it also shattered a long-standing record previously held by Imran Nazir. Back in 2007, Imran Nazir had scored a century in 95 balls against Zimbabwe in Kingston, setting a benchmark that stood for over a decade. Fakhar’s record-breaking century is a testament to his exceptional skill and his ability to adapt to the dynamic demands of modern limited-overs cricket.
As the rain began to pour, Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, found himself at the crease alongside Fakhar, with an impressive 47 runs to his name. Prior to the weather interruption, Pakistan was in a dominant position, cruising at 160-1 in 21.3 overs. According to the DLS method, Pakistan held a 10-run lead, meaning that if the rain persisted, they would emerge victorious with a 10-run margin. The tantalizing prospect of a win hung in the balance, awaiting the skies to clear.
The earlier phases of the match saw Pakistan’s bowlers facing a stern test, with Haris, Shaheen, and Hasan proving to be a tad expensive. However, a ray of hope emerged in the form of young talent, Wasim Jr, who not only bowled economically but also claimed 3 crucial wickets while conceding just 60 runs in his 10 overs. His performance provided a crucial breakthrough and helped keep Pakistan in contention.
Pakistan has taken a commanding position in the match thanks to this incredible change of events, and they will need to keep this momentum going if they are to successfully chase down the ambitious target set by New Zealand. But the weather continues to be a wild card in the calculation.
If the rain doesn’t interfere further, Pakistan is well on its way to securing a remarkable victory, thanks in large part to Fakhar Zaman’s record-breaking century, which will be celebrated for years to come in the cricketing world. Pakistan’s cricket fans eagerly await the outcome of this thrilling World Cup encounter and hope for clear skies and a historic win.
