PAK vs NZ, WC 2023: Fakhar Zaman shines as Pakistan defeat New Zealand by 21 runs via DLS method

Pakistan have won the match via DLS method by 21 runs after the match was called off due to rain in Bengaluru. Fakhar Zaman’s hundred and a well-made fifty by Babar Azam ensured that Pakistan remain in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

Despite losing Abdullah Shafique early on, Pakistan got off to an absolute flier with Fakhar Zaman smashing it all around the park and Babar Azam playing second fiddle to him. They knew that they couldn’t slow down, so firstly Zaman attacked Trent Boult and then took the spinners to the cleaners hitting sixes for fun. The runs were flowing from his bat and in no time he registered a sensational hundred which is also the fastest by any Pakistani batter in World Cup history. With Babar also getting into his groove, they were able to remain in check with the required rate and when the rain came in the 22nd over, they were ahead by 10 runs.

We could get only 3.3 overs after that break before the rain came back on and no further play was possible but Pakistan wasted no time and scored at the same rate in those overs and kept them ahead on DLS which in the end got them the crucial two points.