Fakhar rides life to boost Pakistan with maiden ton
Fakhar Zaman lashed the Indian bowling into submission as the rookie opener scored his maiden ODI hundred in the all-important Champions Trophy final against India at The Oval on Sunday. He was out for 114 in the 34th over after Pakistan crossed the 200-mark.
The left-handed Fakhar Zaman swept R Ashwin for his 12th four as he brought up his 100 off just 92 balls as Pakistan scored 183 for 1 in the 31st over. Fakhar also smashed two sixes, one each off Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. He celebrated his landmark innings by kissing the pitch, something most Pakistanis love to do. The 27-year-old Fakhar, who
made his ODI debut in the Champions Trophy in the match against South Africa in Birmingham on June 7, has been in good form in the tournament. Two fifties in the Champions Trophy made Fakhar an automatic choice for the big final against India.
Jasprit Bumrah played a big hand in helping Fakhar collar the India attack with strokes all around the wicket. Bumrah had the opener caught at the wicket by MS Dhoni when on 3, but the pacer had clearly over-stepped and Fakhar was recalled by the umpires. The Pakistan batsman took full advantage of that piece of luck and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Initially, his innings was not very impressive. Streaky strokes that raced to the boundary helped him overcome the initial pressure but Fakhar rotated the strike with opener Azhar Ali to take the pressure off him after India asked Pakistan to bat on a fresh Oval wicket. With the wicket playing easy and Indian bowlers unable to bowl the lines they had in the previous two games, Fakhar and Azhar Ali built a good partnership. Pakistan’s 50 came off 52 balls with both openers going almost neck and neck.
Fakhar featured in two good partnerships. He had Azhar Ali run out for 59 but the 128-run opening wicket stand gave India a rude shock.
“It’s players like Fakhar Zaman who are the future of Pakistan cricket. They have emerged from domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League has made them fearless,” said Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Virat Kohli, however, was not very impressed. “Eighty per cent of his strokes are high-risk shots and it’s sheer good luck that things went his way,” said Kohli.