Fakhar Zaman becomes first Pakistan batsman to score double century
Bulawayo,july 20: Fakhar Zaman continued his dream run in the ongoing series against Zimbabwe as he became the first Pakistan batsman to hit a double century in ODIs.
In the process, Fakhar and Imam-ul-Haq (113) blazed away to the record opening stand in ODIs as the visitors dominated the proceedings in the fourth ODI at Bulawayo.
Having already pocketed the series, Pakistan showed no signs of slowing down as Zaman and Imam smashed the hosts bowlers all around the park and went past the 286-run mark set by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jaysuriya and Upul Tharanga against England in 2006.
While Imam scored his third century in eight ODIs, Zaman surpassed Saeed Anwar’s previous record for Pakistan of 194.
Overall, Zaman became the sixth cricketer to smack an ODI double century.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and decided to bat. The visitors have dominated the series, bowling Zimbabwe out for 67 on Wednesday to securing an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the series. Pakistan had the opportunity to experiment with their playing XI, but opted to go unchanged.
There were two changes for the Zimbabweans, with Chamu Chibhabha and Prince Masvaure coming in for seamer Donald Tiripano and top order batsman Tinashe Kamunhukamwe.
LIST:
Rohit Sharma 264, 209, 208*
Martin Guptill 237*
Virender Sehwag 219*
Chris Gayle 219
Sachin Tendulkar 200*
Fakhar Zaman 207*
Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com
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Mamata calls incoming Bengal Guv R N Ravi 'BJP cadre', alleges Bose was forced out
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that incoming Governor R N Ravi is a "BJP cadre" and claimed that the sudden exit of C V Ananda Bose from Lok Bhavan was the result of pressure from the Centre.
Addressing supporters at her ongoing dharna against deletions in voter rolls, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to convert Lok Bhavan into a political outpost in the run-up to the assembly elections in the state.
"Have you seen how C V Ananda Bose was removed? I know everything. He was threatened. They want to distribute money from Lok Bhavan. They want Lok Bhavan to be converted into a BJP party office. But everybody may not agree to such whims and fancies of Delhi," she alleged.
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Without citing specific instances, the Trinamool Congress supremo also took a swipe at Ravi's tenure in Tamil Nadu, claiming that the governor had faced "many comments" from the Supreme Court.
"The person who is coming to West Bengal now, I heard that he had to face many comments from the Supreme Court. He is a cadre of the BJP. But remember, West Bengal is a different place. You may have done whatever you wanted in Tamil Nadu, but here you can't do that," Banerjee said.
Escalating her attack on the BJP-led Centre, the chief minister accused it of undermining constitutional institutions and not allowing governors to complete their tenures.
"The Centre is not letting anyone finish their term. You did the same thing with Jagdeep Dhankhar," she said, referring to the former West Bengal governor who later became vice president.
Banerjee said those ruling at the Centre were behaving "worse than Muhammad bin Tughlaq", invoking a phrase often used in the Indian political discourse to describe arbitrary or whimsical governance decisions.
"If you try to threaten us, we will ensure the fall of the BJP government at the Centre," she said.
Banerjee's remarks come amid a fresh political storm triggered by Bose's sudden resignation earlier this week, just days before the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the West Bengal assembly polls.
In a dramatic development on Thursday evening, Bose stepped down from his post in New Delhi, setting off intense political speculation in the state.
Soon after the resignation, Banerjee said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had informed her that Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi would take over as the governor of West Bengal.
Ravi, however, is yet to assume charge.
The developments have added fuel to the already tense political climate in the state, where the Trinamool Congress and the BJP are locked in a fierce battle ahead of the assembly elections, with the Lok Bhavan often emerging as a flashpoint during Banerjee's confrontations with the Centre.
Banerjee's latest remarks also signal a renewed attempt by the ruling TMC to frame the upcoming polls as a fight to "protect West Bengal's autonomy" from what it calls interference by the BJP-led central government, a narrative the party has repeatedly deployed in past electoral contests.
