Fakhar Zaman revives Champions Trophy memories with winning ton for Pakistan in tri-series final
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman showed he is still the player for big matches as he scored a sizzling century in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Saturday. Almost a decade after his winning century in the final of the 50-over Champions Trophy final against India in England, the left-handed opener showed he can still rise to the occasion when the team needs him the most as he…
Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman revived memories of the 2017 Champions Trophy final as he scored a spectacular century in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka in Lahore. The left-handed batsman hit 127 runs off just 99 balls, including 11 fours and six sixes, to help Pakistan chase down a target of 326. Zaman's century came after Sri Lanka posted a formidable 325-8 in their chase.
Babar Azam, Pakistan's star batter, was out for a duck, while Saad Baig contributed 74 runs off 167 balls to form a strong partnership with Zaman. Despite losing two wickets in two balls with victory just one run away, Pakistan still managed to win the match thanks to the all-round performance of left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, who scored 149 runs and picked up nine wickets in the series.
This was Pakistan's first ODI tri-series title since 2008, when they beat India in Bangladesh. Zaman expressed relief at delivering when his team needed, stating that he had been struggling to score runs in recent matches. Minhas, named player of the series, highlighted the importance of raising his hand to help Pakistan in the final, acknowledging that they were short of frontline bowlers.
Sri Lanka's captain, Kusal Mendis, acknowledged that his team fell short of the winning total but criticized their own fielding mistakes as the main cause of their defeat.
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