HARRARE – Pakistan posted a total of 364 against Zimbabwe in the fifth andfinal one-day international (ODI) after winning the toss and electing tobat against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club today.
Fakhar Zaman became the fastest batsman to score 1,000 runs in ODI cricketin just his 18 innings, breaking the record of 21 innings first set by thelegendary Sir Viv Richards in 1980 and since equaled by Kevin Pietersen,Jonathan Trott, Quinton de Kock and, most recently, Babar Azam.
Pakistan have an unassailable 4-0 lead in the series, and such has beentheir dominance that Zimbabwe would do very well to avoid a whitewash.
On Friday, Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq’s opening partnership of 304 helpedPakistan secure a record-breaking 244 runs victory, making it Pakistan’ssecond-biggest ODI win behind the 255-run win over Ireland in 2015.
Zaman also became Pakistan’s first double centurion in ODI cricket,surpassing 194 by Saeed Anwar against India, scored 21 years ago.
The Green Shirts have passed 300 in both previous games where they battedfirst, amassing 399 for one in the last match.
The visitors made no changes to their top order but did rotate theirbowling attack.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir and right-armquick Hasan Ali all return to the XI, Ali having recovered from the slightneck strain which kept him out of the last game.
There were several changes for the beleaguered Zimbabweans.
Both Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava picked up injuries on Friday,and so seamers Chris Mpofu and Tendai Chatara return to the attack.
Batsman Prince Masvaure and offspinner Liam Roche also return, with TarisaiMusakanda and Tendai Chisoro sitting out.