Fakhar Zaman wins ‘unwinnable’ games, says Harsha Bhogle

• Pakistan won by 21 runs (DLS) in the ICC World Cup 2023.
• Fakhar Zaman’s century was crucial.
• Pakistan’s semi-final chances depend on other match outcomes.

In a thrilling encounter at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India, Pakistan emerged victorious against New Zealand by 21 runs, thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. This win keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive for a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan’s triumph was fueled by a scintillating batting performance, led by Fakhar Zaman, who played a pivotal role in his team’s success. After 25.3 overs, Pakistan was 21 runs ahead according to the DLS score, securing their fifth position on the World Cup points table.

To secure a spot in the semi-finals, Pakistan faces a challenging task. They must defeat England on November 11 in Kolkata and hope that Sri Lanka can upset New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 9. Additionally, Pakistan needs Afghanistan to lose at least one of their remaining two matches against Australia and South Africa. This is crucial as both Pakistan and Afghanistan currently have 8 points, although Pakistan has played one more match.

In the match against New Zealand, rain interrupted play with Pakistan at 200-1 in 25.3 overs, with Fakhar Zaman (126*) and skipper Babar Azam (66*) still at the crease. Their partnership of 194 runs proved to be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s crucial victory, setting the stage for a showdown with England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 11.

Fakhar Zaman’s remarkable performance also saw him achieve a significant milestone. He scored the fastest century (in just 63 balls) for Pakistan in a World Cup match, surpassing former cricketer Imran Nazir, who achieved it in 95 balls against Zimbabwe in the 2007 World Cup.

New Zealand had set a challenging target, posting a formidable total of 401-6, the second-highest score in the ongoing World Cup. This impressive score was largely driven by notable contributions from Rachin Ravindra (108), Kane Williamson (95), and Glenn Phillips (41). Mark Chapman (39), Daryl Mitchell (29), and Mitchell Santner (26) also made valuable contributions.

However, it was Pakistan’s fast bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who found themselves in an unwanted record book. Both pacers conceded the most expensive spells for Pakistan in World Cup history, with Shaheen Shah Afridi giving away 90 runs in his 10 overs, while Haris Rauf conceded 85 runs in his 10 overs.

As the race for the semi-finals intensifies, cricket fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of these critical matches, with Pakistan hoping to continue their World Cup journey and make their mark on the tournament.

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