Pakistan’s second ODI against New Zealand was a dominant display of batting by Fakhar Zaman, who led the team to a seven-wicket victory. The hosts chased a competitive target of 337 with ease, thanks to Fakhar’s stunning performance. He set the pace of the chase from the outset, scoring a half-century opening stand with Imam-ul-Haq and then a match-defining century partnership with skipper Babar Azam.
Even after Babar’s dismissal, Fakhar continued to take on the bowling with ease and received ideal support from Mohammad Rizwan, who helped seal the game with an unbroken 119-run stand. Fakhar’s innings was a display of effortless ease, as he never slowed down and took advantage of the dropped catches by the New Zealand fielders.
Earlier in the day, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham’s performances helped New Zealand set a challenging total. However, the Kiwis lost their momentum in the final five overs, allowing Pakistan to showcas༒e their death bowling skills.
Pakistan’s victory was largely thanks to Fakhar’s majestic 180, which served as the cornerstone of the team’s run chase. His performance was particularly impressive given that he never slowed down at any stage, and his ability to take on the bowling with ease was on full display. Although New Zealand had set a competitive target, Fakhar’s innings made the chase a comfortable one for Pakistan.
While New Zealand had a solid start to their innings, they lost their momentum towards the end. However, their early aggression between overs 41-45, where they scored 61 runs, gave them hope for a score in excess of 350. Nonetheless, Pakistan’s impressive death bowling prevented a final flurry of runs and gave the hosts some much-needed respite.
Brief scores: Pakistan 337-3 in 48.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 180 not out, Babar Azam 65, Rizwan 54 not out; Henry Shipley 1/58 ) beat New Zealand 336-5 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 129, Tom Latham 98, Chad Bowes 51; Haris Rauf 4/78) by seven wickets.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Holy heck!!! Another run꧅-fest in 😵💫💥 &🔯amp; 180*… simply to good! 👏🚀
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66)
A walk in the park for once again with that great 100 mashaAllah. Congratulations to the on another win. Onto the next one to win the series inshaAllꦡah!
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul)
Fakhar Zaman, the Fastest Pakistani Batsman to 🗹Scores 3000 Runs with 67 innings and Babar Azam is Second Fastest with 68 innings
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy)
What a win the series going good so far. Congratulations 🌊on your back to back centuries. Well done
— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL)
The Matchless Fakhar Zaman – Fakhar e Pakistan.
Congratulations on 3000 ODI runs and another match winning innings. 🥃 🦂👏
— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak)
Fakhar Zaman while chasing 300+ Targets in ODIs:
Innings- 8
Runs- 669
Average- 83.62
Strike Rate- 115+
Hundreds- 3If he's chasing, Guy is a different Star! Clutch 💯♥️
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)
Fakhar Zaman brings up his 10th ODI 💯
— Multan Sultans (@MultanSultans)
And Fakhar Zaman ꦗWins it for Pakistan with Blistering 180 Not Out 💯⭐
— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars)
3000 runs celebration in style. Fakhar e Pakistan ❤️
VC : PCB— Mariya Rajput (@mariya_raj10)
Congrats to the on a clinical run chase. Reaching 336 in the 49th over led by another superb innings by Fakhar Zaman (180* off 144).
Full scores at— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
Irrespective of the flat pitch, Highway, or motorway, never seen Pakistan Team so comfortable chasing big targets five years back. Chasing 250 plus used to be a nightmare for us in the past. This pleasant change is due to Babar Azam's belief in his players Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul…
— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial)
Congratulations
Well Played
Good cameo by
Good as always brilliant 150* plus
Fifties by &
2nd highest chase by team— Mekan Lohana (@GatezMakan)
Comprehensive victory, and 🔯2nd biggest ODI chase for Pakistan 🇵🇰 courtesy fantastic knock of Fakhar Zaman 180* well supported by Babar 65 and Rizwan 54*
— Ammad Aulakh (@Amaadhussain225)
