PAK vs NZ: 'Na protein, na jajbe ki kami': Sehwag, Shoaib Akhtar, others salute Fakhar Zaman for 63-ball hundred

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PAK vs NZ: Fakhar Zaman hit the fastest World Cup hundred for Pakistan in the match against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 4.

The 33-year-old southpaw, who was dropped for five matches after Pakistan's first match of the World Cup 2023, brought up his 11th ODI hundred off just 63 deliveries. Imran Nazir held the record for fastest World Cup hundred by a Pakistan batter. He hit a 95-ball hundred against Zimbabwe at the 2007 World Cup.

Being asked to chase a 402-run target, Pakistan got off to a flying start after Fakhar Zaman got into the zone early in his innings. The 33-year-old southpaw had scored 81 runs off 74 balls in the previous match against Bangladesh. The comeback innings which included three fours and seven sixes helped Pakistan end their four match losing streak in the World Cup 2023.

The beast mode of Fakhar Zaman saw him hammer seven fours and nine sixes before rain stopped play in Bengaluru. However, Zaman's knock had put Pakistan in a commanding position. The Men in Green were one down for 160 in 21.3 overs - 10 more than the required DLS par score to win the match, if no more action is possible.

His entertaining knock at the high-scoring Chinnaswamy has drawn reactions from several former cricketers and experts. Former India opener Virender Sehwag has praised Zaman and questioned Pakistan team management for dropping the star batter for such a long period in a tournament like World cup.

He also took a dig at Imam-ul-Haq's 'lack of protein' comment. Imam, who has been dropped to bring back Fakhar Zaman in playing eleven, has quoted 'lack of protein-rich food' in India as one of the reasons for Pakistan cricketers not hitting sixes in the ICC marquee event.

Shoaib Akhatar called Fakhar Zaman a 'superstar' and asked him to continue tonking deliveries from New Zealand bowlers after the rain break. West Indies great Ian Bishop also hailed Zaman's "freedom of spirit and controlled aggression".