[WATCH] Fakhar Zaman Hits Auckland Roof, Gets Six In 1st T20I Against New Zealand

Fakhar Zaman in action for Pakistan (AP)

Pakistan’s firebrand batsman Fakhar Zaman launched New Zealand pacer Ben Sears miles up in the air in the first T20I of the five-match series between the two sides. The cricketer arrived to the crease at the brink of powerplay following the dismissal of opener Mohammad Rizwan.

Zaman belted a few off Sears before he was caught and bowled by the host’s spinner, Ish Sodhi, for 15.

Chasing a colossal 227-run target, Pakistan lost both openers, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan, within the powerplay following their rapid 20-run boundary-laden knocks.

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Fakhar Zaman, batting at number four, took a few deliveries to settle in before he walloped Ben Sears over the wicketkeeper’s head for a timely boundary in the eighth over of the Pakistan innings. A couple of deliveries later, Fakhar launched the New Zealand speedster miles up in the air for a six.

The ball hit the roof over the deep backward square region of Auckland’s Eden Park before it rushed back to the ground.

Watch: Fakhar Zaman takes Ben Sears to the roof

Unfortunately for Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman was deceived by New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi the following over to have his innings curtailed at 10-ball 15.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand packed 226 runs from their 20 overs off the back of dazzling half-centuries from star number four Daryl Mitchell and comeback man Kane Williamson. While Mitchell blasted 61 runs from just 27 balls, captain Williamson crafted 57 runs from the 42 deliveries he faced in the innings.

Mark Chapman (26 off 11) and Glenn Phillips (19 off 11) also added useful runs in the death overs to rush New Zealand towards a monumental total after being put into bat first.

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