Twitter Reactions: Fakhar Zaman's double century floors Zimbabwe

Records tumbled at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday. Pakistan registered their highest total ever in the ODIs as the country witnessed their first ever double-centurion in the format in Fakhar Zaman. The left-hander was literally brutal in his assault as he showed no mercy to the opposition bowlers. Imam-ul-Haq and Asif Ali also joined in the fun as the Men in Green posted a daunting total of 399 runs. The hosts were never going to get there as they succumbed to another heavy loss.

After opting to bat first, the onus was on Fakhar and Imam to get their team off to a brilliant start and they didn’t disappoint. After getting their eyes in, both of them started opening their arms freely and the bowlers of Zimbabwe helped them by dishing out easy deliveries. The run-scoring was so easy for the duo that the journey towards their respective centuries seemed like nothing. They added a record stand of 304 runs for the first wicket after which Imam was dismissed by Wellington Masakadza for 113.

But Fakhar continued in the same vein and plundered run at will by shuffling around his crease. He reached his maiden double century in the 47th over with a swat over the off-side as the crowd stood up in applause along with his teammates. Asif Ali also played his part by scoring a quickfire half-century off 22 balls as they posted a total of 399.

Tame chase

Zimbabwe were never going to chase such a target but they showed intent and unfortunately, it lasted only for 5 overs. Hamilton Masakadza tried his best by playing some innovative shots but even he couldn’t grind it in the middle. Soon they were reduced to 67/5 courtesy of the ever-threatening pace attack of the Men in Green.

Then came a sensible partnership between Elton Chigumbura and Donald Tiripano. The duo denied Pakistan a wicket for 17 overs and added 69 runs for the sixth wicket. However, things wrapped up quickly once Faheem Ashraf managed to pin the former in front of the stumps. They were eventually bowled out for 155 runs in the 43rd over as Pakistan took the lead of 4-0 in the series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the game:

We are chasing 400 #justsaying

— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) July 20, 2018

Shahbas mery dost #FakharZamanlive great knock congratulation on first 200 keep rocking Pathan 😘😘💪🏼👍🏻

— Hassan Ali (@RealHa55an) July 20, 2018

Fakhar Zaman “Mickey Arthur told me that if we win the toss we will bat first and then you have to get a double hundred and I did” #ZIMvPAK

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) July 20, 2018

I can only pray that entire staff and selectors @ZimCricketv Will be and should be sacked. Its been done before! You can't afford to play against good sides without your best players @BrendanTaylor86 @SRazaB24 @GraemeCremer #embarrassment

— Riki Wessels (@RikiWessels) July 20, 2018

Congratulations to @ImamUlHaq12 to score 3rd 💯 in ODI cricket , well done 👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼, stay blessed

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) July 20, 2018

Congratulations Fakhar Zaman on your record breaking innings. First-ever ODI double centurion for Pakistan. Keep up the good work. #ZIMvPAK

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) July 20, 2018

Brilliant performance Fakhar Zaman! You're turning into a world-class opener. Richly deserved, champion in the making. #ZIMVPAK

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) July 20, 2018

Alistair Campbell to @FakharZamanLive in Post Match Presentation

Q: Your middle order hoping that U fell in next game so that they can bat?

Fakhar: I will Try………..not to give them the chance 😃😃😃😃#FakharZaman #FakharEPakistan #ZIMvPAK

— Tahir Abbas (@solicitor_tahir) July 20, 2018

Fakhar Zaman has 980 runs in 17 innings. He needs 20 more in three innings to become the fastest to 1000 runs in ODI history. #ZimvPak

— Habib Khan (@realhabibkhan) July 20, 2018

Brilliant performance Fakhar Zaman! You're turning into a world-class opener. Richly deserved, champion in the making. #ZIMVPAK

— Habib Khan (@realhabibkhan) July 20, 2018

Man Of The The Match.!@FakharZamanLive 👏#FakharEPakistan #PakistanZindabad#ZIMvPAK #PakvZim pic.twitter.com/lrKybedUuA

— Faraz Hussain Baloch (@faraz_pti2) July 20, 2018

2010: Tendulker Scored First Ever Double Ton In The World And Also For India. They Won WC 2011 After One Year.

2018: Today, Fakhar Zaman Scored First Ever Double Ton For Pakistan. Will Pakistan Come Out As Winners As Well After One Year In 2019 WC?#FakharZaman #ZIMvPAK

— Abbas. (@iamrealabbas) July 20, 2018

Fakhar Zaman's last four ODIs:

60
117*
43*
210*

1: 50s
3: 100s
1: 200s#ZIMvPAK#Cricket
–#GM_KaMI

— #ADilCricinfo (@Live_Pak_Team) July 20, 2018

Fakhar Zaman becomes the first Pakistani to score a Double Hundred in ODIs

Double Hundreds in ODIs

Tendulkar 🇮🇳
Sehwag 🇮🇳
Rohit (3 times)🇮🇳
Gayle 🏝
Guptill 🇳🇿
FAKHAR 🇵🇰#ZimvPak

— Virat Kohli (@ViratKohli_18Fc) July 20, 2018

This is Pakistan's second-largest margin of victory (in terms of runs).
255 runs vs Ireland in 2016
244 runs vs Zimbabwe TODAY
233 runs vs Bangladesh in 2000
217 runs vs Sri Lanka in 2002
205 runs vs Kenya in 2011#ZIMvPAK #Cricket pic.twitter.com/MuuHspgRAC

— Cricket Jnoon (@CricketJnoon92) July 20, 2018

Congratulations Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Pakistan win by 244 runs.@SarfarazA_54 @KhushSarfaraz #PakvZim #ZimvPak

— Faraz Hussain Baloch (@faraz_pti2) July 20, 2018

Fakhar Zaman – Remember The Name ✌️

– Highest Individual Score by a Pakistani in ODIs.
– 6th Highest Individual score in ODIs.
– Youngest Player to Score 200+ in ODIs.

Indeed, Sajda is the best way to Thanks ALLAH 😇 #PAKvZIM #ZIMvPAK pic.twitter.com/Rf4HBvKNvQ

— CRICKET RECORDS (@cricket_guru5) July 20, 2018

In three consecutive ODIs Fakhar Zaman has made more than 30% runs scored in the complete match (own team's score + opposition's score).
He is the first batsman ever to do so!#ZIMvPAK #FakharZaman

— Live Cricket Score (@2018_Cricket) July 20, 2018