PAK vs NZ: Fakhar Zaman Breaks Babar Azam's Record To Become The Fastest Asian To Reach 3000 Runs

Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Fakhar Zaman broke Babar Azam’s record to become the fastest Asian cricketer to reach the 3000 run mark in ODIs in the team’s most recent match against New Zealand.

Zaman seems to be in blistering form at the moment. In both the ODIs that have already been played in the 5-match series, the 33-year-old has smashed centuries and won Player of the Match in both.

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In the most recent, 2nd ODI, He scored a scintillating 180 to help his side chase down the 337-run target.

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With his 180, Fakhar Zaman crossed the 3000 run mark in the format, doing so in just 67 matches. This is one match less than Babar Azam’s 68 and tied for the second fastest to achieve the feat with West Indies’ Shai Hope.

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The top 5 on the list of fastest players to score 3000 ODI runs stands as follows – Hashim Amla with 57, Shai Hope and Fakhar Zaman with 67 each, Babar Azam with 68, and legendary batter Viv Richards with 69.

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Fakhar Zaman reveals captain Babar Azam’s strategy against New Zealand in the second ODI

With their win in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand, Pakistan are now 2-0 up in the five match series and in shot to win the series in the next match.

Player of the Match Fakhar Zaman revealed in the post-match interview Babar Azam’s strategy to mess with the Black Caps. According to Zaman, Babar told him to play long innings, while he himself would take risks.

“Babar was telling me to take singles and doubles and to focus on playing a long innings. He said if risks are needed, he’ll take them, because if I stayed there, they wouldn’t be able to bowl the left-arm spinner, and we would disrupt their plans,” he said.

Babar Azam himself scored a half-century, forming a crucial partnership with Fakhar in the middle overs.

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Fakhar Zaman will look to continue his hot streak and seal the series for Pakistan in their next ODI against New Zealand, on May 3.

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