Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman hammered his maiden hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final against India on Sunday at The Oval. The 27-year-old southpaw hammered Ravichandran Ashwin for a boundary and reached the three figures in 92 deliveries as he raised his bat and bowed down to kiss the ground to mark the big moment. Zaman's knock was studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes as he made India pay for the no ball in the fourth over. Zaman was on 3 when he knicked Jasprit Bumrah to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. However, the delivery was referred upstairs and Bumrah was found overstepping the crease. (LIVE SCORECARD)
After being asked to bat in the summit clash, Zaman along with his opening partner Azhar Ali gave Pakistan a strong start with a century-run opening stand. It was only the second time when Pakistan openers got to a century-run stand since 2003. Zaman and Azhar attacked the Indian bowlers from the word go and played fearless yet sensible cricket in the high-intensity clash against their arch-rivals.
Both the openers hit their respective half-centuries and made the Indian attack look toothless. India got their first breakthrough when Azhar was run out for 59. However, Zaman kept his composure and didn't let the scoring rate slide.
Zaman now has the most runs after first four ODIs for Pakistan as he went past Saleem Elahi (229). He also became the first Pakistan batsman to make three fifties in his first four ODI games.
Zaman finally perished on 114 when he played a slog shot off Jasprit Bumrah but got a top edge on it and was caught brilliantly by Ravindra Jadeja at backward point region.
