Pakistan has always relied on its openers to provide a solid foundation for the rest of the batting lineup with classy openers like Saeed Anwar, M. Hafeez, Ahmad Shahzad and so on. However, in recent years, Pakistan has found a new pair of openers who have taken the cricketing world by storm.
Fakhar and Imam have formed a formidable partnership that has helped Pakistan win many matches and break many records. In this article, we will explore how Fakhar and Imam became Pakistan’s most reliable opening pair and what makes them so special.
Fakhar Zaman: The Explosive Opener
One of the most exciting and consistent batsmen in the modern era of cricket is Fakhar Zaman. The 33-year-old left-hander from Mardan has established himself as a regular part of Pakistan’s ODI team with his aggressive and fearless approach at the top of the order. He has scored 3082 runs in just 67 innings, becoming the second-fastest batter in the world to reach 3000 runs, only behind the legendary Hashim Amla.
He also holds the record for being the fastest Pakistani to achieve this feat, surpassing his captain Babar Azam in the second ODI against New Zealand. Fakhar Zaman is not just a hard hitter, but also a smart and reliable batter who plays with an impressive average of 49.70 and a strike rate of 94.30.
He has the ability to adapt to different situations and conditions and can build a solid platform for the middle order. He is also the only Pakistani to score a double century in ODIs, which he did against Zimbabwe in 2018. Fakhar Zaman is undoubtedly one of the best openers in the world today and a vital asset for Pakistan’s ODI team.
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Imam-ul-Haq: The Reliable Opener
The other half of Pakistan’s successful opening pair is Imam-ul-Haq, the nephew of former captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. The 26-year-old left-hander from Lahore has proved his critics wrong with his consistent and classy performances at the international level. He made a memorable ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2017, scoring a century and becoming the second Pakistani to do so.
He has not looked back since then, scoring 2629 runs in 58 innings with a remarkable average of 50 and a strike rate of 82. Imam-ul-Haq is not a flashy or flamboyant batter, but rather a calm and composed one who relies on his timing and placement to score runs. He has the skill to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking, as well as to accelerate when needed. He complements Fakhar Zaman perfectly, as he plays the anchor role while Fakhar plays the aggressor role. Imam-ul-Haq is undoubtedly one of the most dependable openers in the world today and a crucial member of Pakistan’s ODI team.
Fakhar and Imam: The Unbreakable Pair
Pakistan has always been known for its unpredictable and inconsistent cricket, but in recent years, it has found a rare source of stability and reliability in its opening pair of Fakhar and Imam. These two left-handed batsmen have formed an unbreakable partnership that has helped Pakistan win many matches and break many records.
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Fakhar and Imam also hold the record for the highest opening partnership of 304 runs, which is the highest for Pakistan at any wicket in ODI cricket. They broke this record against Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI in 2018. Fakhar and Imam became the fourth pair to cross 300 runs as a pair in a single inning.
Fakhar and Imam have scored 2246 runs together in 54 innings, at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 88.34. Fakhar and Imam also registered 7-century stands and 9 half-century stands, making them the most prolific opening pair for Pakistan in ODIs.
The duo have shown great understanding and chemistry on the field, as well as mutual respect and admiration off the field. Fakhar and Imam have faced many challenges and criticisms, but they have always bounced back with their performances and proved their critics wrong.
They have become the backbone of Pakistan’s batting lineup, and a nightmare for the opposition bowlers. Fakhar and Imam are undoubtedly the unbreakable pair of Pakistan cricket.
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