5th ODI: Pakistan set target of 365 against Zimbabwe

BULAWAYO: Pakistan set the huge target of 365 against Zimbabwe in the fifth and final One Day International (ODI).

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq once again gave the national team a strong foundation with the opening partnership as Imam scored a century and Zaman scored 85 runs.

Babar Azam scored the second century of Pakistan’s innings as he scored 106 runs.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Pakistan will be looking to whitewash the home team in the series on by winning this last game.

The national team had already won the series 4-0.

As the batting started, Fakhar Zaman broke another record and became the fastest batsman to get to 1000 ODI runs, reaching the milestone in just 18 innings.

In 4th ODI, Pakistan’s openers blazed to a world record 304-run stand, with Imam-ul-Haq hitting 113, to set up their innings, 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.

In the same match, Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistan player to hit a double century in one-day internationals as Pakistan cruised to a massive 244-run win over Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI at Queens Sports Club on Friday.

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, and Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower called his innings “a great achievement”.

SQUADS:

Zimbabwe: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Ryan Murray, Peter Moor, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Liam Nicholas Roche, Malcolm Waller, Brian Chari, Chamu Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Tendai Chatara, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Donald Tiripano

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail