Summary Chasing a challenging target of 326 runs set by Sri Lanka, Fakhar delivered an impressive performance at the top of the order
(Web Desk) - Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman equalled a long-standing record held by batting legend Saeed Anwar after scoring a century against Sri Lanka in the final of the home ODI tri-series at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing a challenging target of 326 runs set by Sri Lanka, Fakhar delivered an impressive performance at the top of the order, bringing up his 12th ODI century in just 84 balls.
The left-handed batter eventually scored 127 off 99 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and six sixes before being dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka in the 34th over.
The century marked Fakhar's second hundred in an ODI tournament final. His previous one came against arch-rivals India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 at The Oval in London.
With this achievement, Fakhar drew level with Saeed Anwar for the most centuries by a Pakistani batter in ODI tournament finals. Anwar had scored hundreds against Sri Lanka in the 1993 Wills Trophy final and against India during the 1998 Silver Jubilee Independence Cup.
Fakhar's 127-run knock also took his career ODI tally beyond 4,000 runs, making him the 16th Pakistani batter to reach the milestone. He joined prominent names such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan and Saeed Anwar.
The 36-year-old has now accumulated 4,019 runs in 96 ODI innings at an average of 44.65 and a strike rate of 93.57. His record also includes 12 centuries and 19 half-centuries.
