Fakhar Zaman’s Heroics Keep Pakistan Alive at World Cup in Rain-Hit Triumph Against New Zealand

In a thrilling and rain-affected encounter at Bengaluru, Pakistan’s swashbuckling opener, Fakhar Zaman, emerged as the hero, cracking a blistering century to secure a crucial 21-run victory over New Zealand. This victory not only kept Pakistan’s World Cup hopes alive but also showcased Fakhar Zaman’s incredible prowess with the bat. Let’s delve into the details of this sensational match and Fakhar Zaman’s remarkable performance.

Fakhar Zaman’s Spectacular Century

Fakhar Zaman, the 33-year-old left-hander, produced a jaw-dropping performance with the bat, smashing a remarkable unbeaten century. His unbeaten 126 came off just 81 balls, including 11 towering sixes and eight boundaries. Despite the interruptions due to rain, Fakhar Zaman’s onslaught kept Pakistan’s hopes alive in this crucial contest.

Chasing a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target of 342 in 41 overs, Fakhar Zaman played a pivotal role, guiding Pakistan to 200-1 after 25.3 overs when the match was prematurely halted due to rain. The dramatic encounter and Fakhar’s exceptional innings left fans on the edge of their seats.

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson’s Heroics for New Zealand

On the other side, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and their captain Kane Williamson were also in sublime form. Ravindra scored his third century of the tournament, contributing a crucial 108 runs with 15 boundaries and a six. Williamson, who scored 95 runs, partnered with Ravindra to put New Zealand in a strong position.

Set an imposing target of 402 runs, Pakistan faced a daunting task. Fakhar Zaman, however, was up to the challenge. He, along with skipper Babar Azam (66), added an impressive 194 runs for the unbroken second-wicket partnership. Fakhar Zaman’s blazing half-century came off just 39 balls, featuring four sixes and as many boundaries. His century, the 11th in his ODI career and the first in a World Cup was a spectacle, coming off just 63 balls with nine sixes and six boundaries.

The Battle for Semi-Final Spots

This victory breathed new life into Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, bringing their points tally to eight from as many games. However, their fate still hangs in the balance. To secure a semi-final spot, Pakistan not only needs to win their final match against England in Kolkata but also relies on New Zealand’s match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, hoping for a loss by the Kiwis or rain disruptions. The net run rate will play a crucial role in determining the semi-final contenders.

Bowlers on Both Sides

The match also witnessed noteworthy performances from bowlers. For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi provided crucial breakthroughs, while on the Pakistan side, Mohammad Wasim’s spell of 3-60 was pivotal. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, however, had a challenging day, conceding 90 and 85 runs, respectively, which marked the worst-ever figures by Pakistan’s bowlers in all World Cups.

Conclusion

Fakhar Zaman’s heroic century in the face of a daunting target, inclement weather, and a formidable New Zealand side has not only kept Pakistan’s World Cup dreams alive but has etched his name in cricketing history. As the World Cup drama unfolds, all eyes will be on the final matches and net run rates to see if Pakistan can make it to the semi-finals. This thrilling contest was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the game, and Fakhar Zaman’s remarkable innings will be remembered for years to come.

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