Fakhar Zaman on the verge of another record as Pakistan aim for series whitewash against Zimbabwe

Waseem Ahmed 17:03 21/07/2018
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  • Fakhar Zaman is on the verge of 1,000 ODI runs.

    A series whitewash will be on the minds of the Pakistan cricket team when they take the field for the fifth and final ODI against hosts Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Sunday.

    The quality possessed by Sarfraz Ahmed’s men has proved to be a bridge too far for the depleted hosts with the visitors racking up records one after the other like they have been going out of fashion.

    FAKHAR ZAMAN ON THE VERGE OF ANOTHER RECORD

    Just two days after he became Pakistan’s first double centurion in ODI cricket and sixth overall, Fakhar Zaman will have the chance to enter the record books once again.

    The left-handed opener is 20 runs shy of the 1,000-run mark in the format. Should he achieve the same on Sunday, Fakhar will become the fastest batsman to get to the milestone. Currently, Sir Viv Richards holds that record after completing the feat in 21 innings. On the other hand, the Pakistan man’s 980 runs have come in just 17 innings at an average greater than 75.

    Fakhar Zaman is enjoying a rich vein of form currently.

    Fakhar Zaman is enjoying a rich vein of form currently.

    HOSTS LOOK FOR SILVER LINING

    There has been nothing to shout about for Zimbabwe cricket for some time now. With the administration in turmoil as wage-dispute saga ranges on with the players, Zimbabwe cricket has hit its nadir.

    Skipper Hamilton Masakadza has been handed a thankless task following the pullout of five senior players even before the series started. Then, they lost the in-form Solomon Mire and all-rounder Kyle Jarvis to injuries with Malcolm Wallace also pulling out of the squad citing labour-practice laws.

    Their four defeats in the series have been as one-sided as they come and it will take something extraordinary for the hosts to make a killing in the final ODI. It is a win they desperately need at the moment given the way Zimbabwean cricket has been declining.

    Masakadza has an unenviable task at hand.

    Masakadza has an unenviable task at hand.

    PAKISTAN EXPECTED TO RING IN THE CHANGES

    Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur talked about using the five-match series as a drawing board for the 2019 World Cup preparations and that is exactly what Sarfaz’s men have done so far.

    The men in green have rotated their personnel throughout the series and the same will be expected on Sunday. Pace spearhead Mohammad Amir has played only two of the four matches in the series so far and he should get another run out in the final ODI.

    Leg-spinner Yasir Shah played the last two matches on his return from injury and Sunday could be the turn of Mohammad Nawaz to feature in the playing XI.

    In the batting department, Haris Sohail could get a game after missing out on all four matches so far.

    Amir is expected to feature in the final ODI.

    Amir is expected to feature in the final ODI.

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