Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman wrote himself into the record books with an emphatic unbeaten double ton in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Friday.
After skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan openers Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq put on a world-record 304-run stand for the opening wicket before the former carried his bat to notch up a special double hundred.
Fakhar’s unbeaten 210 off just 156 deliveries makes him only the sixth batsman in ODI history and the first from Pakistan to breach the 200-run mark and has seen him surpass the legendary Saeed Anwar’s score of 194.
All throughout social media, the tributes to Fakhar’s record-breaking feat have been pouring in.
Former skipper Ramiz Raza was one of the first to express his delight just days after he had wondered why no Pakistan was looking to get a 200.
Frankly I didn’t enjoy Pak’s win today. it was clinical alrite but colourless..didn’t have any magical moments to savour like a great bowling spell or a 100 off 50 balls. Why isnt a Pakistan batsman looking for a 200!! Why not.. if not against Zim then who against??
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 16, 2018
#Fakhar200 Now we are talking !! Salute and standing ovation 👏👏👏👏
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) July 20, 2018
The likes of Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi, Brendon McCullum, Azhar Ali, Dean Jones and Saeed Ajmal all took to Twitter to praise Fakhar’s feat.
Brilliant performance Fakhar Zaman! You're turning into a world-class opener. Richly deserved, champion in the making. #ZIMVPAK
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 20, 2018
Well done to Fakhar Zaman to become the first Pakistani to score a Double 💯 in ODI. #gun #210
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) July 20, 2018
Also to our little dynamo @AasifAli2018 for his first 50! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Fakhar Zaman!!!You played a wonderful knock
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) July 20, 2018
201* Not Out..👍👏
First Pakistani to score double ton.imam-ul-haq and asif also played well.Pakistan zindabad💚
Congratulations @FakharZamanLive for double hundred 👏👏👏 great achievemen.. @TheRealPCB #ZIMvsPAK
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) July 20, 2018
@FakharZamanLive What a superb achievement brother.
— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) July 20, 2018
Well played team Pakistan and Congrats to Fakhar Zaman to become the first Pakistani to score Double 💯 in ODI.
— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) July 20, 2018
Waqar took aim at Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi while praising the opener’s achievement. Sethi had recently caused controversy by agreeing that Pakistan cricket has no talent on a television show.
“Well done Fakhar Zaman. Super performance, to break Saeed’s record needed a special knock. Congratulations! This is the talent which some feel our country does not have,” the Pakistan pace legend wrote on Twitter.
Well done @FakharZamanLive Superb performance,,To break Saeed’s record needed a special knock #Congratulations This is talent which some think we don’t have in our country..
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) July 20, 2018
Fakhar’s innings helped Pakistan post a staggering 399-1 in the fourth ODI at Bulawayo after skipper Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bat first. It is the highest ODI total Pakistan have registered in their history, beating their previous best of 385-7 against Bangladesh in 2010.
