On this day: Fakhar Zaman’s 193 goes in vain against SA
Fakhar Zaman has played some big knocks for Pakistan ever since he first burst onto the scene at the highest level in 2017. Apart from a match-winning 114 against arch-rivals India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Fakhar also became the first Pakistani batter to score an ODI double century with his 210-run knock against Zimbabwe in 2018.
On this very day in 2021, the southpaw could have scored his second ODI double ton but unfortunately, fell agonizingly short by seven runs.
When Fakhar Zaman made a statement with a valiant 193
Pakistan had locked horns with South Africa in the second ODI at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Pak bowlers showcased a horrible bowling performance as the Proteas scored 341/6 from their 50 overs.
In reply, the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals but only one man kept them in the hunt and that was Fakhar Zaman. Zaman counter-attacked from one end and kept the scoreboard ticking.
At one point, it even seemed as if he would single-handedly win the match for Pakistan and the Proteas bowlers found no way to get him out. Unfortunately, with the asking rate getting steeper and no support from the other end, the southpaw could only manage to reduce the margin of defeat at best.
Unfortunate dismissal
Nonetheless, tragedy struck on the first ball of the final over as Fakhar was dismissed. Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock faked a bit by pointing at the non-striker’s end which was indeed a tactic to misguide the batters and Zaman fell for it as he slowed down while coming back for a second run.
It proved to be costly as the ball went into the keeper’s gloves and he dislodged the bails in no time. The controversial tactic would be subjected to a heated debate later on but, the promising southpaw had to take a long walk back to the pavilion in a heartbreaking manner having scored a blistering 193 runs from 155 deliveries including 18 fours and 10 sixes at a strike rate of nearly 125.
Pakistan were eventually restricted to 324/9 as South Africa won the contest by 17 runs.
