It proved to be a day to remember for Pakistanis as the Men in Green set a number of records, beating dispirited Zimbabwe in the 4th ODI at Queens Sports Park, Bulawayo.
Pakistan were at their absolute best especially with the bat as the openers clobbered the highest ever opening partnership in ODI cricket with Fakhar Zaman scoring the first ever double century for Pakistan and Imam ul Haq also chipping in with his 3rd ODI century.
Toss: Pakistan
Result: Pakistan won by 244 runs
Man of the Match: Fakhar Zaman (210* off 156)
It was carnage in Bulawayo as the two left-handers set out on a mission to humiliate the hosts. Fakhar Zaman scored most number of boundaries in an ODI (29) by a Pakistani to bring up his second 100+ score of the series as he finished with 210*.
Imam ul Haq was brilliant as well, reaching his 3rd ODI hundred without having a fifty to his name. The openers added 304 for the first wicket, bettering the record previously held by Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuria and Upul Tharanga (286 vs England).
Asif Ali’s cameo, was as important as the two centurions’ contribution, as his hitting prowess made sure Pakistan registered their highest ever total of 399 on the board, beating their previous best of 385/7 against Bangladesh in 2010.
Chasing 400, it was already game over for the hosts considering the form their batsmen are in. Pakistani bowlers bowled out Zimbabwe for 155 meaning that Pakistan won by 244 runs which is the 2nd highest margin of victory for the Men in Green in terms of the runs.
Shadab Khan grabbed 4 as Usman Khan and Faheem Ashraf walked away with two wickets each.
Records tumbled as Pakistan looked in supreme form against the hosts. You can see all the stats from today’s match here.