NEW DELHI: Pakistan openers
Fakhar Zaman and
Imam-ul-Haq have created a world record for the highest opening partnership in ODIs, achieving the milestone during the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Friday.
The pair surpassed the 286-run record set by Sri Lanka openers Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya in 2006 against England in Leeds. They went on to add 304 runs in 42 overs before left-handed batsman Imam was dismissed by Wellington Masakadza. Imam's knock of 113 runs came in 122 balls with the help of eight boundaries.
The match also saw Zaman becoming the first Pakistan batsman to score double century in ODIs that propelled his team to their highest ever ODI score of 399/1. In the process, he also went past Saeed Anwar's 194 that came against India in 1997. Zamam smashed his way to an unbeaten 210 off just 156 balls laced with 24 fours and five sixes.
Zaman is the sixth batsman in ODI cricket to get to double ton, after Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag,
Rohit Sharma,
Chris Gayle and
Martin Guptill. His 210 not out is the fifth highest score in one-day cricket after Rohit's 264, Guptill's 237*, Sehwag's 219 and Gayle's 215.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and opted to bat in the fourth ODI. The visitors have dominated the series, bowling Zimbabwe out for 67 on Wednesday to clinch an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Fakhar Zaman. (AFP Photo)
