Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman is among ICC Player of the Month nominees for April after his outstanding performance with the bat.
Zaman scored back-to-back centuries in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand on home soil.
“Fakhar was another who began the month in quiet fashion, with modest scores in the T20I series against New Zealand. As the ODI series began, he clicked into gear with immediate results. Chasing 289 in the first match, the opener led his team’s response with a barrage of hitting, resulting in a 124-run stand with Imam-ul-Haq, and eventually a 5-wicket victory thanks to his controlled innings of 117 from 114 balls,” the ICC said in press release.
“With an even more imposing target of 337 for victory in the second ODI, Fakhar once again dominated the visiting bowlers, establishing big partnerships at the top of the order on his way to a memorable 180 not out, allowing Pakistan to record their second highest ever successful ODI chase at a canter,” it added.
It must be noted that Zaman smashed a third consecutive century to guide Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second ODI on Saturday.
The 33-year-old left-handed opener hit an undefeated 180 off 144 balls for his tenth ODI hundred.
It followed his 117 in the first match and 101 against the same opponents in January as Pakistan chased a stiff 337-run target in 48.2 overs.
He became only the 12th batter ever and the fourth Pakistani, after Saeed Anwar, Zaheer Abbas and Babar Azam (twice), to hit three consecutive ODI tons.
The win gave Pakistan a 2-0 lead in the five-match series with the last three matches in Karachi on May 3, 5 and 7.
"It was my lucky day to score again against New Zealand as I got chances," said Zaman.
"I try to take my time at the start and then with five players in the circle it becomes easier to score."
Zaman also became the fastest Asian batter to 3,000 runs in ODI history after achieving the feat in 67 innings. The record was previously held by Babar Azam, who took 68 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya and New Zealand’s Mark Chapman are the other nominees in the men’s category.
- Fakhar Zaman