Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman became only the fourth batter to hit 10 or more sixes in an ODI World Cup innings during a CWC 2023 match against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Former England captain Eoin Morgan holds the record, with 17 sixes against Afghanistan during the 2019 World Cup.
Earlier in the match, Fakhar registered the fastest ODI World Cup century by a Pakistan batter when he reached the three-digit mark in just 63 balls, going past the previous best of Saleem Malik (94 balls).
With 11 sixes, Fakhar set the record for the most sixes in an ODI World Cup match by a Pakistan batter and also equalled Shahid Afridi’s record of most sixes in an ODI innings by a Pakistani. Afridi had also struck 11 maximums in a 40-ball 102 against Sri Lanka in 1996 at Nairobi.
Fakhar’s unbeaten 81-ball 126 helped Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs (DLS method) and remain in contention for a spot in the semifinals.
The 33-year-old was playing only his third match of the ongoing World Cup. He returned to Pakistan’s eleven only in the team’s previous match, against Bangladesh in Kolkata, where Fakhar scored a match-winning 74-ball 81 and was named Player-of-the-Match.
After scoring 12 runs against Netherlands in Pakistan’s tournament opener, Fakhar missed the side’s subsequent five matches.
Pakistan will take on England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday in its last league-stage match.
Most sixes in ODI World Cup innings
- Eoin Morgan - 17 sixes vs Afghanistan in 2019
- Chris Gayle - 16 sixes vs Zimbabwe in 2015
- Martin Guptill - 11 sixes vs West Indies in 2015
- Fakhar Zaman - 11 sixes vs New Zealand in 2023
Most sixes for Pakistan in ODI innings
- Shahid Afridi - 11 sixes vs Sri Lanka in 1996
- Fakhar Zaman - 11 sixes vs New Zealand in 2023
- Abdul Razzaq - 10 sixes vs South Africa in 2010
- Fakhar Zaman - 10 sixes vs South Africa in 2021
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