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Fakhar Zaman lone fight: The stunning 193 vs South Africa that stole Pakistan fans' hearts

Poulomi Chakraborty

Fakhar Zaman's incredible 193-run knock (Source: AFP Photos)Fakhar Zaman's incredible 193-run knock (Source: AFP Photos)

The white-ball excitement has returned to the Pakistani soil, and fans are enjoying some unmissable 50-over excitement. As the Men in Green take on South Africa in the first ODI, they witnessed a last-ball thriller.

Even in the clash, Fakhar Zaman missed a well-deserved half-century; the ace Pakistani opener once delivered a one-man show against the Proteas. Back in 2021 against South Africa, when the rest of the lineup crumbled, Fakhar stood firm and authored a lone-warrior classic.

As the two sides clash once more, it’s worth looking back at the night Fakhar Zaman lit up the field, even as Pakistan fell short.

Proteas unleash batting firepower against the Men in Green

After heartbreaking defeat in the first ODI match of the three-match ODI series, South Africa faced Pakistan in Johannesburg, and the cricket world experienced a pure thriller. While batting first, Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram started off with a 55-run partnership, and there was no looking back. After Markram walked away, de Kock and Temba Bavuma kept the momentum going.

With their 114-run stand, the Proteas got a massive boost. In the 31st over, de Kock walked away on 80, missing a well-deserved century. After Temba Bavuma walked away on 92, Rassie van der Dussen’s crucial 60-run knock gave a massive boost.

As the Pakistani bowlers were having nightmares on the field, David Miller’s unbeaten half-century helped South Africa to put on a massive total of 341 runs. The home fans were in for a treat as the Protea batters set the stage on fire.

Pakistan falter, yet Fakhar Zaman battles with a lion-hearted innings

After South Africa put on a massive total on the board, the Protea bowlers returned to full power as the Pakistan batting order crumbled. Imam-ul-Haq joined Fakhar Zaman at the top but lasted just 5 runs before Lungi Ngidi sent him packing. Fakhar and Babar Azam then tried to steady the ship with a 63-run partnership, yet the captain departed after a modest 31.

Those early blows already crumbled Pakistan’s batting order, and Protea bowlers tightened their grip. Amid the chaos, Fakhar Zaman rose as the lone warrior, battling fiercely when others faltered. Completing a half-century, he turned that into a spectacular century.

As the Protea bowlers tried everything to remove him from the crease, Zaman refused to leave before the job was done. Racing past 150, he set his sights on a double century, giving Pakistan a glimmer of hope. But the momentum shifted when Zaman was dismissed in an ill-fated run-out.

Fakhar Zaman’s 193-run innings, the world witnessed a batter with a lion's heart who defied all the odds with his batting brilliance when the entire side crumbled under pressure. Though South Africa edged out a narrow victory, Zaman’s innings will be remembered as a timeless testament to bravery, skill, and unmatched determination.