CWC23 Zaman hits maiden World Cup century to give Pakistan hope

Swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman scored a maiden World Cup century on Saturday as Pakistan attempted to chase down New Zealand's mammoth 401-6 to stay in the World Cup.

The 33-year-old left-hander hit a boundary followed by a six off spinner Mitchell Santner to complete his 11th hundred in his 81st one-day international.

Zaman clubbed nine sixes and six boundaries in his 63-ball hundred as Pakistan chased victory as well as boosting their net run-rate to keep alive their hopes of making the semi-finals.

Zaman was undefeated on 106 while skipper Babar Azam was 47 not out as Pakistan reached 160-1 in the 22nd over when rain halted play.

Before this match, Pakistan had three wins and four losses in seven games.

Zaman played the first game of this World Cup against the Netherlands before poor form and a knee injury kept him out of the side.

He only returned in Pakistan's last game against Bangladesh, smashing 81 in a seven-wicket victory in Kolkata.

Earlier, New Zealand made 401-6 with Rachin Ravindra hitting his third World Cup century and skipper Kane Williamson making 95.

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A stunning ton from @FakharZamanLive and a calm knock from @babarazam258 as we earn a crucial win ??#NZvPAK | #CWC23 | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/eStwvvyUta

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 4, 2023

Match Summary
New Zealand: 401-6 (50)
Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Devon Conway-10.5 ov), 2-248 (Kane Williamson-34.2 ov), 3-261 (Rachin Ravindra-35.5 ov), 4-318 (Daryl Mitchell-41.1 ov), 5-345 (Mark Chapman-44.3 ov), 6-388 (Glenn Phillips-48.5 ov)

Pakistan: 200-1 (25.3)
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Abdullah Shafique, 1.6 ov)

SCORECARD  

Playing XI

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson(C), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(WK), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(C), Mohammad Rizwan(WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf

Match Details:

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023 05:00

Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Toss: Pakistan elected to bowl