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Fakhar Zaman (Source-Twitter)
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs via the Duckworth and Lewis method in Bengaluru on Saturday. Fakhar Zaman was the hero of the game as he scored an unbeaten 126 runs off just 81 balls with eight fours and 11 sixes in his knock.
The win over the Kiwis means that Pakistan now have moved into the fifth place on the points table. This also keeps the Pakistani team’s hopes alive for a place in the semi-finals. Former Indian batting star Virender Sehwag was in full praise towards the Pakistani opener after his match-winning knock.
Thanks to Pakistan’s win over New Zealand, South Africa has qualified for the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023. The Temba Bavuma-led side became the second team after India to reach the knock-out stages of the tournament.
Virender Sehwag heaps wholesome praises for Fakhar Zaman –
Former Indian legendary batter Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to praise the efforts of Fakhar Zaman. The 45-year-old wrote, “What an innings by Fakhar Zaman, by far Pakistan’s best batter. Which brains kept him on the bench for the best part of the tournament, god knows. Protein ki kami nahi, jazbe ki bhi”
What an innings by Fakhar Zaman, by far Pakistan’s best batter. Which brains kept him on the bench for the best part of the tournament, God knows.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 4, 2023
Protein ki bhi kami nahin, jajbe ki bhi . #NZvsPak pic.twitter.com/t6GdvKRjJ5
Pakistan were chasing a target of 402 to win in a bid to stay alive in the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. Abdullah Shafique fell early for four when he was caught by Kane Williamson to give Tim Southee his first wicket.
Fakhar Zaman though took the attack to the opposition and scored an amazing century. The left-hander got to his century in just 63 balls as he became the fastest Pakistani batter to achieve this feat.
Babar Azam played a good second fiddle as the skipper was not out on 66 runs from 63 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Saturday turned out to be a day filled with records as Fakhar Zaman hit 11 huge sixes in his knock. The Pakistani opener has now hit 18 sixes from just 3 innings in World Cups.
The next game for Pakistan is against England next Saturday and they again have to win the game. The Pakistanis will also hope for the other results to go their way with Australia, New Zealand, and Afghanistan also in the race to reach the final four stages of the tournament.
What an innings by Fakhar Zaman, by far Pakistan’s best batter. Which brains kept him on the bench for the best part of the tournament, God knows.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 4, 2023
Protein ki bhi kami nahin, jajbe ki bhi . #NZvsPak pic.twitter.com/t6GdvKRjJ5
Ye Fakhar Zaman NZ ko semi final se bahar kar rhi h
— Amit Jha (@yoursamitjha) November 4, 2023
Apne liye acha h #PAKvsNZ
I think pakistani management gave to preference to parchi player...
— @vipin mishra 🇮🇳 (@viplnt) November 4, 2023
Thats the reason Fakar zaman out of the Squads...
Sehwag sir bashing paxtanis in and out of the ground. 🤣
— Hunटरर ♂ (@nickhunterr) November 4, 2023
Hundred By Fakhar Zaman ⚡🥵🔥
— Surbhi Maradiya (@SurbhiMaradiya) November 4, 2023
Whatt an Innings Under Pressure in Chasing
Sr 158 , Hitted 9 Big Sixes #PAKvsNZ pic.twitter.com/yK8OUUmpCu
— 7G_Hotspot 🇮🇳🚩 (@VImvinit007) November 4, 2023
Online Shopping pic.twitter.com/dW7GI9M8I1
— Radhika Chaudhary (@Radhika8057) November 4, 2023
ayyyy jajba kya hota hai pic.twitter.com/Vvwxg9U6SM
— Dexie (@dexiewrites) November 4, 2023