Pakistan were in all sorts of trouble, tottering at 205 for 7, while chasing a mammoth target of 342 in the 2nd ODI, but their camp still had hope. The hope also had a name and a face to it. It was Fakhar Zaman.

Zaman had been off colour in international cricket for a long time but chose the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg to return to form. The opener showed glimpses of his old self, including shades of his brilliant hundred in the final of the 2015 Champions Trophy against India and his sensational double century in ODI cricket.

He hit his way to 193 off 155 balls, slamming 18 fours and 10 sixes along the way, while batting at a strike rate 124.52.

Such was the impression of the man that even with 31 required off the last over, the Pakistan camp was still hopeful that a man who had already spent 49 overs at the crease and had spent every ounce of his energy, could still pull it off.

?? 193 runs
? 155 balls
?? 18 fours and 10 sixes

What an exceptional knock from @FakharZamanLive ??

It is also the highest individual score at the Wanderers!#SAvPAK | https://t.co/xcauK7pG9h pic.twitter.com/L5jcrcSIDf

— ICC (@ICC) April 4, 2021

Whether or not that would have been possible will never be determined as Zaman was controversially run-out on the first ball of the last over while trying to steal a double.

Not getting into the details of the fake fielding law and its implications, Zaman deserved every bit of the Player of the Match award for his mesmerizing ton.

© Cricket World 2021