Fakhar Zaman makes historic record
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HARARE – En route to his third half-century of the T20I triangular series in Harare, Fakhar Zaman became the highest run scorer in T20Is during 2018 while also securing the record for scoring most runs in a series for Pakistan on Sunday.
The left-handed batsman, 28, also crossed the 500-run mark in the calendar year, becoming only the third batsman to do so after India’s Virat Kohli and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad.
Zaman has also secure his position among the top five Pakistani players with the highest individual score of 91 against Aussies.
Pakistan defeated Australia by six wickets in the final of the triangular series in Harare. Pakistan’s innings got off to the worst possible start with Glenn Maxwell picking up two wickets in the very first over of the innings. Debutant Sahibzada Farhan and Hussain Talat were not able to trouble the scorers and went back to the pavilion without even scoring a single run.
Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman got Pakistan back on track with a brisk 45-run partnership but just when the Men in Green were looking to establish some sort of control, Sarfraz was run-out after scoring 28 runs.
Zaman kept on dominating the Aussie bowlers — despite the skipper’s dismissal — along with the experienced Shoaib Malik. The left-handed batsman was in unstoppable hitting form as he smacked the bowlers to all parts of the ground. He scored 91 runs of 46 balls which included 12 fours and three sixes while he also notched up a brilliant 107-run match winning partnership with Malik.
After Zaman’s departure Malik and Asif Ali ensured that Pakistan smoothly sailed over the line. Malik remained not out on 43 runs while Asif Ali stayed unbeaten on 17 runs.
This was also the highest successful run chase ever by Pakistan in T20I cricket.
Earlier Australia had set Pakistan a target of 184 runs, after Finch had won the toss and decided to bat first.
For Pakistan Mohammad Amir picked up three wickets while Shadab Khan claimed two wickets.
Zaman bagged the award for, both, player of the match and the series due to his brilliant batting.
