Fakhar Zaman’s innings was really special, he took the game away from us: Tom Latham

In the second ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand at Rawalpindi, opener Fakhar Zaman played an extraordinary innings, scoring 180* runs off just 144 deliveries. Based on his incredible knock, the home team managed to chase 337 runs in 48.3 overs and with that, the Babar Azam-led side is two 2-0 up in the five-match ODI series. 

Meanwhile, talking about Fakhar Zaman’s batting, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham mentioned that the 33-year-old was fantastic on the night as he eventually took the game away from the hands of the visiting team. Latham also appreciated Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as they both ended up scoring a half-century each.

“One can hardly think of a win in the face of such an incredible innings that Fakhar had played. He literally took away the game from us. His innings was really special. On top of all this, captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s fifties came at the right time to help Pakistan chase down the total,” Latham was quoted as saying by The News.

New Zealand lose Second ODI against Pakistan despite post a huge total

Notably, batting first in the second ODI, New Zealand posted 336 runs on the board. Daryl Mitchell once again played an outstanding knock of 129 runs off 119 deliveries while Latham smashed 98 runs off 85 deliveries. Opener Chad Bowes managed to score a half-century as well and with that, New Zealand were in the driver’s seat at the halfway mark. After the match, Latham stated that they posted a strong total on the board but Fakhar’s innings in the end made all the difference.

“It was a very strong target, yet Fakhar’s innings made the difference. You cannot do anything in the face of such a big hundred.” Meanwhile, when questioned about Mark Chapman’s drop catch of Fakhar, Latham mentioned that these kinds of things can happen in international cricket. The NZ skipper seemed to have supported his fielder for dropping catches by saying that these things are part of the game and can happen to anyone.

“These things happen in international matches. You drop some easy and take some brilliant catches in between. Drop catches are very much part of the game. It was an incredible knock that virtually took the game away from us. Hats off to Fakhar,” he added.