Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023

'Ye chase Fakhar k Bina mushkil ta' - Fans react as Fakhar Zaman's unbeaten 180 helps Pakistan beat New Zealand in 2nd ODI

Fakhar Zaman scored an unbeaten 180 to help Pakistan beat New Zealand in the second ODI in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

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Akshay
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Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman (Source: Twitter)

Fakhar Zaman Fakhar Zaman (Source: Twitter)

Fakhar Zaman's magnificent century helped Pakistan beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second ODI in Rawalpindi on Saturday, April 29. Zaman once again proved that he is a run-machine while chasing, as Pakistan seized a 2-0 lead in the five-match series thanks to his back-to-back hundreds. The left-hander struck 117 runs in the first ODI, which the hosts won by 117 runs, and he continued his momentum in the next match, smashing an unbeaten 180.

Opting to field first, pacer Haris Rauf gave Pakistan an early lead by dismissing Kiwi opener Will Young in the sixth over. Chad Bowes then stitched a brilliant 86-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell to settle New Zealand's innings. Rauf took his second wicket in the 19th over by removing Bowes for 51 runs.

However, Mitchell continued his form from the previous match, in which he scored 113 runs and formed a mammoth 183-run stand with skipper Tom Latham. Both took the game away from the hosts as Mitchell (129 off 119) scored his back-to-back century and Latham missed out on his century by just 2 runs. Nassem Shah sent Mitchell to the dugout, and Latham soon followed. James Neesham and Henry Nicholls added the finishing touches to take the team's total to 336.

Zaman's 180* led Pakistan to an easy win

In reply, Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq got off to a good start, putting on a 66-run partnership for the opening wicket before Matt Henry dismissed Imam in the 10th over. Zaman then put on a crucial 132-run partnership with Babar Azam before the skipper was dismissed for 65 runs. Zaman was on a roll as he scored a century and forged another partnership with wicket-keeping batter Mohammad Rizwan.

The two stuck around for an unbeaten 119-run stand and drove Pakistan cross the finish line. Zaman, who hit 17 boundaries and six maximums in the 144 balls, missed out his second double century in the 50-over format by just 20 runs. Meanwhile, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 54 runs off 41 balls.

Speaking after winning the player of the match, Fakhar, said: "I try to take some time at the start in one-day cricket. Every player works hard on his game at this level. Same with me. If a team like NZ has dropped two catches, have to consider it as my lucky day. Rizwan told me to hang in there, and that he'll take the risks."

Here's how fans reacted to Fakhar Zaman's brilliant innings: 

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