The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, Zaka Ashraf, was quick to recognize Fakhar Zaman’s outstanding performance in the 35th match of the ICC World Cup 2023. Zaka Ashraf announced a generous reward of 1 million rupees for Fakhar Zaman, the talented left-handed batsman, following his match-winning innings against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
After the game, Ashraf personally spoke to Zaman and offered his congratulations for the 33-year-old’s valiant performance against New Zealand. The 71-year-old chairman also extended his best wishes to the left-handed batsman for the upcoming matches.
In that eventful game, Pakistan triumphed over New Zealand by 21 runs according to the DLS method, with Pakistan batting at 200-1 in 25.3 overs when the match was stopped due to rain. Fakhar Zaman, with an impressive 126*, and skipper Babar Azam, contributing 66*, was still at the crease.
Fakhar’s explosive batting display made the difference, as Pakistan was 21 runs ahead on the DLS score after 25.3 overs, securing a well-deserved victory. The partnership of 194 runs between Azam and Fakhar played a pivotal role in this crucial win, setting the stage for Pakistan’s next challenge against England in Kolkata on November 11.
Notably, Fakhar Zaman set a new record by scoring the fastest century (63 balls) for Pakistan in a World Cup match, surpassing Imran Nazir’s previous record of 95 balls against Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup. Fakhar also hit an impressive 11 sixes, making him just the fourth player in World Cup history to achieve ten or more sixes in a single match.
In the first innings, New Zealand posted a challenging total of 401-6, the second-highest in the ongoing competition, thanks to notable performances by Rachin Ravindra (108), Kane Williamson (95), and Glenn Phillips (41). Contributions from Mark Chapman (39), Daryl Mitchell (29), and Mitchell Santner (26) added to New Zealand’s strong total.
Despite the outstanding batting display, New Zealand’s fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, had a tough day, as both set unwanted records. Shaheen conceded 90 runs in 10 overs, while Haris gave away 85 runs in 10 overs, marking the most expensive spells for Pakistan in World Cup history.
Looking ahead, New Zealand faces an important match against Sri Lanka on November 9 at the same venue, and a win there could pose challenges for Azam’s team.