The 33-year-old Pakistan National Cricket Team left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman showcased a batting masterclass in the 31st match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 31.
Fakhar Zaman was going through a rough patch for a long period of time and he was left out of the playing XI after Pakistan’s first match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Netherlands after the veteran left-handed batter failed to play an impactful innings.
Abdullah Shafique replaced him at the top of the order and delivered consistent performances. However, his opening partner Imam-ul-Haq failed miserably and was left out of the playing XI against Bangladesh and Fakhar Zaman was once again brought into the playing XI.
Fakhar was among the three changes made by the Men In Green in the playing XI as Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz were also left out and Agha Salman and Usama Mir came in as replacements.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman made an astonishing comeback by playing his natural attacking brand of cricket. He played some hard-hitting strokes and made Pakistan team management regret their decision to drop him.
Fakhar was aggressive from the initial half of his innings and one of his sixes left the cricketer-turned-commentator Shane Watson in absolute astonishment. On the third ball of the 5th over, Taskin Ahmed bowled a 142.8kph delivery on a good length. Fakhar bent low, cleared his front leg, and smashed the ball over midwicket for a humongous 99-m six.
Taskin Ahmed was shocked by Fakhar’s hitting ability and he just accepted the boundary with a smile. However, on-air commentators, especially Shane Watson, were absolutely astonished by Fakhar’s six and gave a stunning reaction to the hit.
“There’s not too many batters in the world who can do this to that ball. That’s why you’ve got to keep the faith with someone like this guy. That’s the stuff he can do & that’s what makes people turn the tv on to watch,” Shane Watson said on-air.
Watch: Fakhar Zaman Hits A Monstrous Six
Shane Watson reaction 😂
When fakhar hit mighty#PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/yTERbLd786— ЅᏦᎽ 🧢 (@13hamdard) October 31, 2023
The jaw dropping expressions of Shane Watson in the commentary box are simply priceless on the humongous 99m six hit by Fakhar Zaman! He is a pure entertainer and undoubtedly a matchwinner!🔥#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/girRiQm2Q5
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 31, 2023
Also, Fakhar Zaman became the first Pakistan batter to hit three sixes within the first 12 overs of an ODI match since Shahid Afridi’s nine sixes against India, which came in 2005 in Kanpur.
Shane Watson further opined that the Pakistan management shouldn’t have dropped Fakhar because he is a match-winner. He also said that legendary captain MS Dhoni would have always backed Fakhar during his lean patch.
“There’s one captain I know who would have full faith in a match winner. He would stick with them, knowing that they will come good. That’s MS Dhoni,” Shane Watson
“Yeah! He (MS Dhoni) would always play Fakhar (Zaman). That’s for sure,” Ravi Shastri.
#PAK #BAN #Watch #Fakhar #ZamanStuns #Shane #Watson #Monstrous #99M