Zaman stars for Pakistan A in Harare

Opener’s career-best 180 guides visitors to 188-run win over Zimbabwe A

KARACHI: Fakhar Zaman’s destructive 180-run knock was the showpiece of Pakistan A’s scintillating 188-run win over Zimbabwe A during the second ODI of the five-match series at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe yesterday.

Electing to bat first, Pakistan A posted a strong total of 339-2 as opener Zaman smashed a whopping 21 boundaries and four sixes to form a 92 and 206-run partnership with Jaahid Ali and Umar Amin respectively.

Amin, meanwhile, scored 83 runs off 77 balls hitting five fours and three sixes, while Ali and captain Sohaib Maqsood contributed with 29 and 23-run knocks respectively.



In reply, Zimbabwe A were restricted to 151 runs in 33 overs as Muhammad Asghar ran riot to record figures of 5-41, while Mir Hamza claimed two scalps and Ehsan Adil one.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe batsman Neville Madziva, who was the top scorer for the African side, was sent off for obstructing the field.

Tarisai Musakanda (40) was the other main contributor for the losing side.



Zaman, meanwhile, was delighted with his career-best figures in List A cricket. “I just kept my focus on the ball and had in mind that I have to score big,” said Zaman. “The shots were coming at the right time which gave me more confidence.”

Zaman further added that he would one day want to emulate this performance for the national side as well. “This is the best innings that I have played in my career and I would love to contribute with such a knock for the Pakistan side. I hope to match, or break, Saeed Anwar’s long-standing record of 194 runs in ODIs.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2016.

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