Back-to-Back Man of the Match Awards for Fakhar Zaman

• Fakhar Zaman’s explosive century guides Pakistan to a thrilling victory against New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023.
• The talented opener secures his second consecutive Man of the Match award after his stellar performance against Bangladesh.
• Fakhar Zaman surpasses 5000 international runs during the unforgettable clash, solidifying his status as a cricketing sensation.

In a high-stakes encounter at Bengaluru during the ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan and New Zealand clashed in a thrilling showdown. The match was marked by extraordinary performances that left cricket enthusiasts in awe.

Pakistan’s opening batsman, Fakhar Zaman, stole the spotlight with a remarkable century, amassing 106 runs off just 69 deliveries. His century was a testament to his unique style and flair, characterized by an explosive display of power hitting. Fakhar’s innings included an astounding 11 sixes and 8 boundaries, ultimately leaving him unbeaten with a sensational 126* off 81 balls.

Despite New Zealand’s commendable effort in setting a formidable target of 401 runs for Pakistan, the rain-interrupted match saw Pakistan emerging victorious by 21 runs, courtesy of the DLS method. New Zealand had posted a total of 401/6 in their allotted 50 overs, driven by Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 108 and Kane Williamson’s impressive 95.

Pakistan’s young talent, Wasim Jnr, made his presence felt with the ball, claiming 3 crucial wickets while conceding 60 runs in his 10-over spell. Iftikhar also delivered an impressive performance, maintaining an economy rate below 7, though the rest of the bowling unit struggled to make a significant impact.

While rain disrupted the proceedings, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, was steadily building his innings and had reached 66 runs before the interruption. However, it was Fakhar Zaman who garnered the lion’s share of praise from the cricketing world for his spectacular century and match-winning performance.

Second consecutive Man of the Match for Fakhar

In this remarkable showdown between Pakistan and New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman’s exceptional performance earned him the coveted Man of the Match award, marking his second consecutive accolade in the tournament. He had previously secured the Man of the Match title in the Bangladesh encounter.

Fakhar’s contribution extended beyond his century, as during the electrifying match against New Zealand, he also achieved a significant personal milestone by crossing the 5000-run mark in international cricket. His incredible consistency and ability to shine on the biggest stages make him a standout player in the world of cricket.