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Unforgettable Blitz: Fakhar Zaman Turned ODI Cricket Into A Video Game With Historic 210*

Akshita Patel

Fakhar Zaman's historic inning in ODI cricket [Source: @ICC, @ZimCricketv/X.com]Fakhar Zaman's historic inning in ODI cricket [Source: @ICC, @ZimCricketv/X.com]

On July 20, 2018, in Bulawayo, Fakhar Zaman wrote his name into the history books with a performance that Pakistani fans will never forget. Facing Zimbabwe in the 4th ODI of the series, the left-hander smashed an unbeaten 210 off 156 balls, becoming the first Pakistani batsman to score a double century in ODIs.

Pakistan were already leading the 5-game ODI series 3-0 and had sealed their victory with the final 2 games being reduced to formality. However, despite being in a comfortable position, the men in green came out guns blazing in the 4th ODI.

When Fakhar Zaman Smashed Zimbabwe For A Record-Breaking Double Ton

Pakistan batted first with Fakhar Zaman opening the innings alongside Imam-ul-Haq. The two produced a batting show that left Zimbabwe helpless, as they put on a mammoth opening stand of 304 runs, the highest in Pakistan’s ODI history.

Imam played his part with a well-paced 113, but it was Zaman who stole the limelight. He brought up his hundred in no time but was in no mood to stop his carnage. He smacked 24 boundaries and 5 towering sixes to bring up his maiden double hundred in an ODI hundred.

Zaman's innings made history, but also represented Pakistan's growing power at the time in white-ball cricket. He became only the sixth player in ODI history to score a double century, joining an elite list that included Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, and Martin Guptill.

Pakistan innings ended at an extraordinary 399/1 in 50 overs and Zimbabwe had no response. Their chase folded at just 155, resulting in a crushing 244-run defeat. The win was emphatic, but the day will forever be remembered for Fakhar Zaman’s historic knock.