Records tumble for Pakistan as Fakhar's double ton helps defeat Zimbabwe by 244 runs

Published July 20, 2018
Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq set new record for Pakistan's highest-ever partnership in ODIs. — Photo courtesy PCB/Twitter
Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq set new record for Pakistan's highest-ever partnership in ODIs. — Photo courtesy PCB/Twitter

Records tumbled for Pakistan in Bulawayo, where the green shirts on Friday set a record-breaking 399-run target, beating Zimbabwe by 244 runs in the fourth match of their five-match One Day International (ODI) series.

The green shirts' highest-ever total, which surpassed their previous record of 385 runs against Bangladesh, was bolstered by an impressive double ton by left-hander Fakhar Zaman, who today became the fifth-highest scorer in ODIs. His 210 not out also beat Saeed Anwar's previous 194-run record for Pakistan, set some 21 years ago.

Fakhar and Imamul Haq also broke the record for Pakistan's highest ODI partnership for any wicket. The pair surpassed the previous record of 263 runs, set by Aamir Sohail and Inzamamul Haq against New Zealand in 1994.

The two also broke the world record for the highest-ever opening stand — set by Sarnath Jamahiriyas and Pul Charanga for Sri Lanka against England at Headingley in 2006 — making 304 together before Haq departed.

The hosts' innings was wrapped up in the 43rd over, with the team all out for 155 runs. Zimbabwe's 244-run defeat was their second heaviest in ODIs, and they avoided that calamity only through a 69-run sixth wicket stand between Elton Waggumbura and Donald Timpano.

Shadab took four wickets in 8.4 overs, giving away only 28 runs.

Pakistan XI:

Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (c/w), Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan.

Zimbabwe XI:

Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Hamilton Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Peter Moor, Ryan Murray (w), Elton Chigumbura, Donald Tiripano, Tendai Chisoro, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava Umpires: Langton Rusere (ZIM), Ian Gould (ENG) TV Umpire: Russell Tiffin (ZIM)

Opinion

A long week

A long week

There’s some wariness about the excitement surrounding this moment of international glory.

Editorial

Unlearnt lessons
Updated 28 Apr, 2026

Unlearnt lessons

THE US is undoubtedly the world’s top military and economic power at this time. Yet as the Iran quagmire has ...
Solar vision?
28 Apr, 2026

Solar vision?

THE recent imposition of certain regulatory requirements for small-scale solar systems, followed by the reversal of...
Breaking malaria’s grip
28 Apr, 2026

Breaking malaria’s grip

FOR the first time in decades, defeating malaria in our lifetime is possible, according to WHO. Yet in Pakistan,...
Pathways to peace
Updated 27 Apr, 2026

Pathways to peace

NEGOTIATIONS to hammer out the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement took nearly two years before a breakthrough was achieved....
Food-insecure nation
27 Apr, 2026

Food-insecure nation

A NEW UN-backed report has listed Pakistan among 10 countries where acute food insecurity is most concentrated. This...
Migration toll
27 Apr, 2026

Migration toll

THE world should not be deceived by a global migration count lower than the highest annual statistics on record —...