Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq in action during 4th ODI
Pakistan opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq scripted history on Friday when they established a 304-run partnership stand for the opening-wicket and propelled their team to 304/1 in 42 overs in the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. With this, they surpassed the previous highest partnership total of 286 runs, established by Sri Lanka's Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya in Leeds on July 1, 2006.
Leading the five-match series 3-0, Pakistan opted to bowl after winning the toss in the fourth ODI. In their allotted 50 overs, the visitors made 399/1, with Zaman (210*) and Asif Ali (50*) standing unbeaten on the crease.
In the third ODI at the same venue, Pakistan thrashed Zimbabwe by nine wickets after bowling team out for just 67 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Zaman, dropped on 2 at first slip, made an unbeaten 43 off 24 balls and took Pakistan to 69/1 in just 9.5 overs. The 28-year-old left-handed batsman had scored 60 and 117 (not out) respectively in the first two ODIs.
While Zaman has been astonishing on the tour so far, Imam, who is the nephew of batting legend Inzamam-ul-Haq, also didn't disappoint in Zimbabwe.
The 22-year-old Southpaw has made 172 runs in three innings with a century in the opening ODI. On Friday, Imam smashed eight boundaries in his remarkable 122-ball 113.
Zaman, on the other hand, became the first batsman to score a double century in ODI cricket and sixth overall. He scored an unbeaten knock of 210 runs, which was decorated by 24 boundaries and five sixes.
