Pakistan’s dynamic opener, Fakhar Zaman, has achieved a remarkable feat with his back-to-back centuries in the ongoing series against New Zealand, propelling him to the second spot in the latest One Day International (ODI) rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Fakhar Zaman’s extraordinary performances have seen him surge eight spots to secure the second position, closely trailing his captain, Babar Azam, in the rankings. The ICC highlighted Zaman’s impressive record, stating that his three consecutive ODI centuries have elevated his career-best rating to 784 points, despite a 103-point difference with Azam.
This remarkable achievement has not only propelled Zaman individually but has also bolstered Pakistan’s batting lineup. With Zaman’s ascent, Pakistan now boasts three players in the top five of the latest ODI batting charts.
Alongside Zaman and Azam, Imam-ul-Haq secures the fifth spot, followed by South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen and India’s Shubman Gill.Zaman’s recent heroics were on full display during Pakistan’s second ODI against New Zealand, where he smashed an unbeaten 180 off 144 deliveries, securing his tenth ODI century.
This incredible knock followed his impressive innings of 117 in the first match and 101 in a previous encounter with New Zealand in January. Zaman’s relentless pursuit of excellence has seen him join an elite group of cricketers, becoming only the twelfth player in history, and the fourth Pakistani after Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas, and Babar Azam (twice), to achieve three consecutive ODI centuries.
With Zaman’s exceptional performance, Pakistan clinched a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The remaining matches are scheduled to take place in Karachi on May 3, 5, and 7, providing an opportunity for Zaman to continue his incredible form.Reflecting on his achievements, Zaman expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he received and acknowledged that it was his fortunate day to shine against New Zealand.
He emphasized the importance of taking his time at the start of the innings and credited the field restrictions for making scoring easier.In addition to his century spree, Zaman etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest Asian batsman to reach 3,000 runs in ODI history, achieving this milestone in just 67 innings. Previously, the record was held by his teammate and captain, Babar Azam, who achieved the feat in 68 innings.
As the cricketing world takes notice of Fakhar Zaman’s exceptional form, the left-handed opener continues to elevate his stature and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s batting prowess. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup approaching, Pakistan’s formidable batting lineup, spearheaded by Zaman and Azam, is poised to make a lasting impact on the global stage.
Fakhar Zaman: The Unconventional Genius of Pakistan’s Greatest Opening Batsman