Bengaluru (Karnataka): Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman made history on Saturday by smashing the fastest century for his country in World Cup history. Zaman accomplished this landmark against New Zealand at Bengaluru. Zaman reached his century in 63 balls, beating Imran Nazir's record of 95 ball ton in 2007 World Cup. Since his return to the side against Bangladesh, in which he smashed an attacking 81 in 74 balls, the opener has stamped his authority at the top of the order with his attacking strokeplay.
The fastest WC century ever is by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, coming in just 40 balls against Netherlands in Delhi in this year's tournament. The match between Pakistan and New Zealand has been interrupted by rain. 'With Pakistan needing a mammoth 402 to win, Fakhar was unbeaten at 106 in 69 balls, with seven fours and nine sixes. He is batting at a strike rate above 153.
Pakistan were 160/1 in 21.3 overs when the play was interrupted. During his masterful innings, Zaman also completed his 5,000 international runs. In 160 international matches and 155 innings, Zaman has scored 5,096 runs at an average of 34.90, with the best score of 210 against Zimbabwe.
In three Tests and six innings, Zaman has scored 192 runs at an average of 32.00 with two fifties and best score of 94. In 81 ODIs, he has scored 3,471 runs at an average of 46.90 and a strike rate of over 93 with 11 centuries and 16 fifties. In 76 T20Is, he has scored 1,433 runs at an average of just above 21 and strike rate of 128.17, with the best score of 91 and eight fifties.