![Fakhar Zaman scored a match-winning hundred in tri-series final [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793512867150_FakharZamanscoredamatch-winninghundredintri-seriesfinal.jpg?type=hq)
Fakhar Zaman scored a match-winning hundred in tri-series final [Source: AFP]
Fakhar Zaman is a big match-player in the ODIs, and the Pakistan opener proved his worth once again in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Chasing a tricky 326, the hosts lost two quick wickets, including that of Babar Azam.
However, Fakhar stood tall and blasted a quickfire 127 off 99 balls, which laid a strong platform for the middle-order batters as Pakistan won the match and the tri-series.
In big games, Fakhar has always been Pakistan’s biggest match-winner, and in this article, we take a look at 3 such instances when the Pakistan opener played a match-winning role in a big match.
1) 127 off 99 balls vs Sri Lanka (Tri-series final)
Sri Lanka batted first, and courtesy of a brilliant century from Kamindu Mendis, the visitors posted 325 in the finals. In reply, Pakistan lost Maaz Sadaqat and Babar Azam early, but Fakhar took the attack to the opposition.
He batted with aggression and scored 127 off 99 balls, including 6 sixes, and by the time he was dismissed, he had taken Pakistan’s tally to 220 runs. For his match-winning efforts, he was awarded the Player of the Match.
2) 114 off 106 vs India (Champions Trophy final)
Perhaps Fakhar Zaman’s greatest-ever international knock came in the Champions Trophy 2017 final against arch-rivals, India.
Pakistan batted first, and interestingly, Fakhar was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah early in the innings, but it turned out to be a no-ball. The opener got a lifeline, and he made full use of it as he punished the Indian bowlers with an array of strokes.
He forged an opening stand of 128 alongside Azhar Ali, and the southpaw smashed a match-winning 114 off 106 balls, with a strike rate of 107.55. Pakistan scored 338, and India failed to reach the score.
3) 91 off 46 vs Australia (Tri-series final, 2018)
In the 2018 Zimbabwe T20I tri-series, Pakistan collided with Australia in the finals, and the Kangaroos posted a commanding 183/8.
In reply, Pakistan were 2 for 2, and were struggling for runs before the left-handed opener took the matter in his own hands. He hammered the Australian bowlers and missed out on a deserved century by nine runs (91 off 46).
Shoaib Malik provided the finishing touches for the win, but the platform was set by the destructive opener.
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