'Fakhar-E-Alam' - Fans laud Fakhar Zaman for his match-winning 180* against New Zealand in second ODI

Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman brushed aside New Zealand's 336 runs single-handedly in the second ODI in Rawalpindi. In the game played on April 29, the home team, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. After Chad Bowes and Daryl Mitchell laid a great platform, skipper Tom Latham and Mitchell put together 183 runs for the third wicket. The latter scored a hundred while Latham missed out by two runs.

Thanks to Latham (98), Mitchell (129), and Bowes (51), the Blackcaps finished with 336/5. In reply, Zaman single-handedly made a mockery of the target. He also got support from his skipper Babar Azam (65) and Mohammad Rizwan (54*). The 2017 Champions Trophy winner, Zaman scored 180 not out of just 144 balls including 17 fours and six sixes. The Green Brigade won the game by seven wickets and 10 balls to spare.

Fakhar Zaman's innings astonished me: Babar Azam

Meanwhile, after the game, the left-hander, Zaman spoke about his innings. He said that he likes to take his time in ODI cricket. The Pakistan Air Force officer added that he got a lot of liberty while batting with Mohammad Rizwan.

"I try to take my time in the start in ODI cricket, and then with five players in the circle it becomes easier to score. Practice is usually done on technique and I work on my shortcomings as well but to be honest, I think it was my lucky day to score again against New Zealand. I get a lot of liberty while playing with Rizwan and he made things easier for me. I was told to stay at the crease till the end and this approach is what is working in our team's favour," Zaman, POTM said after the game.

"I think it was Fakhar's best innings and the way he played astonished me," Babar Azam said.

"Credit to Fakhar, he played an outstanding knock," Tom Latham said.

This is how Twitter reacted

Irrespective of the flat pitch, Highway, or motorway, never seen Pakistan Team so comfortable chasing big targets five years back. Chasing 250 plus used to be a nightmare for us in the past. This pleasant change is due to Babar Azam's belief in his players Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul… pic.twitter.com/BxrWASxOTW

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) April 29, 2023

Imam Ul Haq✅
Fakhar Zaman ✅
Babar Azam ✅
Muhammad Rizwan ✅

Pakistan Top 4 is in great form ahead of World Cup 2023🤩✍️ pic.twitter.com/X000Bj30eG

— Hassan Zahid 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇪 (@Iam_hassan10) April 29, 2023

And Fakhar Zaman Wins it for Pakistan with Blistering 180 Not Out 💯⭐#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/1FbuBcGTmq

— Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) April 29, 2023

The Matchless Fakhar Zaman - Fakhar e Pakistan.

Congratulations on 3000 ODI runs and another match winning innings. @FakharZamanLive #MoreThanAthlete 👏 pic.twitter.com/PMX9llt6in

— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) April 29, 2023

Congrats to the @TheRealPCB on a clinical run chase. Reaching 336 in the 49th over led by another superb innings by Fakhar Zaman (180* off 144).
Full scores at https://t.co/96zpZOjedD #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/PtOAGTmvmN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 29, 2023

Fakhar Zaman is our back to back man of the match award winner scored sensational 180 off 144 balls 🤩

One word for him? pic.twitter.com/H4svY2Poxy

— 𝗭𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗔🏏🇵🇰 (@BabarFanGirl56) April 29, 2023

Fakhar Zaman - Babar Azam, who gave me a lot of confidence & advice at every turn, is the reason for both of my hundreds… pic.twitter.com/9j1995oS6d

— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) April 30, 2023

Your Favorite Jersey?? 🤔👀
Mine 3️⃣9️⃣! 🫶💚#FakharZaman | #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/BEGKJPWnaO

— Asad Fakharian 🇵🇰 (@fakhar3939) April 26, 2023

Third 150+ score in his ODI career for Fakhar Zaman, what an innings. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/c7Jkhefnaq

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 29, 2023

In case you guys forget Shahid Afridi dropped Fakhar Zaman from ODI squad 😭😭and it was Babar Azam who added back him in Pak Team

— Lahori Guy (@YrrrFahad_) April 29, 2023