Fakhar Zaman Equals Saeed Anwar’s Record With Century Against Sri Lanka

LAHORE: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman equalled a long-standing record held by batting great Saeed Anwar after scoring a century against Sri Lanka in the final of the home ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging target of 326 runs, Fakhar delivered a commanding performance at the top of the order. He brought up his 12th ODI century in just 84 deliveries, underlining his ability to perform in high-pressure matches.

The opener eventually scored 127 off 99 balls, hitting 11 fours and six sixes. However, his innings ended in the 34th over when Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him.

The century was Fakhar’s second in an ODI tournament final. His first came against arch-rivals India in the final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2017 at The Oval in London.

Fakhar Matches Saeed Anwar’s Record

With his latest century, Fakhar equalled Anwar’s record for the most centuries by a Pakistani batter in ODI tournament finals.

Anwar had scored two centuries in such finals, setting the benchmark with hundreds against Sri Lanka in the 1993 Wills Trophy final and against India in the 1998 Silver Jubilee Independence Cup.

Fakhar’s latest achievement places him alongside the former Pakistan opener in this statistical milestone.

Fakhar Crosses 4,000 ODI Runs

Fakhar’s 127-run innings also took his ODI career tally beyond 4,000 runs, making him the 16th Pakistani batter to reach the milestone.

He joined an elite group that includes Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Saeed Anwar.

Fakhar has now scored 4,019 runs in 96 ODI innings at an average of 44.65 and a strike rate of 93.57.

His record in the format also includes 12 centuries and 19 half-centuries, highlighting his consistency as one of Pakistan’s leading limited-overs batters.