The day belonged to Fakhar Zaman AFP
The day belonged to Fakhar Zaman AFP

Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistan player to hit a double century in one-day internationals as Pakistan crushed Zimbabwe by 244 runs to go 4-0 up in their one-day series. Zaman smashed 210 not out from 156 deliveries, moving past the previous record for a Pakistan batsman set by Saeed Anwar with his 194 more than 21 years ago.

That wasn t the only record to tumble. Pakistan s openers blazed a world record 304-run stand, with Imam-ul-Haq hitting 113, the triple hundred partnership becoming Pakistan s biggest for any wicket in ODIs. It also broke the previous record for an opening stand in all internationals, set by Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga for Sri Lanka against England at Headingley in 2006.

Partners Runs Team Opposition Ground Year
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman 304 Pakistan v Zimbabwe Bulawayo 2018
WU Tharanga, ST Jayasuriya 286 Sri Lanka v England Leeds 2006
DA Warner, TM Head 284 Australia v Pakistan Adelaide 2017
Q de Kock, HM Amla 282* South Africa v Bangladesh Kimberley 2017
WU Tharanga, TM Dilshan 282 Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe Pallekele 2011

When the opening partnership was eventually snapped, Asif Ali arrived at the crease and immediately went on the attack, smashing 50 from 22 deliveries to help boost Pakistan to another record: their highest ever total in ODIS.

Top 5 scores in ODIs registered by Pakistan:

Score Overs RR Inns Opposition Ground Year
399/1 50 7.98 1 v Zimbabwe Bulawayo 2018
385/7 50 7.7 1 v Bangladesh Dambulla 2010
375/3 50 7.5 1 v Zimbabwe Lahore 2015
371/9 50 7.42 1 v Sri Lanka Nairobi (Gym) 1996
364/7 50 7.28 1 v New Zealand Sharjah 2014

Zimbabwe s response never got going, and they were lucky to avoid a few other ignominious records when they were bowled out in the 43rd over for 155. 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 Chigumbura and Donald Tiripano. But that was as good as it got for the hosts, with leg-spinner Shadab Khan taking four for 28 as Pakistan wrapped up the innings having barely broken a sweat.

The table below shows Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeats in ODIs:

Defeat Margin Target Opposition Venue Year
272 runs 400 South Africa Benoni 2010
229 runs 359 Australia Basseterre 2007
206 runs 355 South Africa Benoni 2016
204 runs 326 New Zealand Christchurch 2017
201 runs 412 South Africa Canberra 2015
198 runs 351 Australia Harare 2014
196 runs 290 South Africa Cape Town 2006

Zimbabwe have now lost ODIs by 200 runs or more on 5 occasions. In doing so, they now join India and Netherlands in being the team to have lost by such a margin most number of times amongst all ODI teams. Bangladesh, Ireland and Kenya have lost by 200 runs or more in ODIs on 4 occasions while New Zealand and West Indies have lost by such a margin 3 times. Interestingly, England and South Africa have never lost by such a margin till date.

The fifth and final match of the current ODI series will take place at the same venue on Sunday with Pakistan looking to complete a 5-0 sweep.

(With Inputs from AFP)