Pakistan stretched their series lead to 0-4 in the five-match ODI series against the hosts Zimbabwe after winning the fourth ODI by a big margin of 244 runs at Bulawayo on Friday.

After winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed decided to bat first. The visiting batsmen totally dominated over the hosts’ bowlers as Pakistan put a record total of 399/1 in 50 overs. Both openers scored centuries, including Fakhar Zaman’s double century while the no.3 batsman Asif Ali (50* off 22 balls) scored a furious half-century knock.

In reply, Zimbabwe only managed to score 155 runs before getting bowled out in 42.4 overs.

Brief Scores: Pakistan – 399/1 in 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 210*, Imam-ul-Haq 113; Wellington Masakadza 1/78)

Zimbabwe – 155 in 42.4 overs (Donald Tiripano 44, Elton Chigumbura 37; Shadab Khan 4/28)

Result – Pakistan won by 244 runs

Here are some of the statistical highlights of the match:

i) Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Masakadza played 289th international cricket match.

• Most number of international cricket appearances for Zimbabwe. Masakadza surpassed the 288 international matches’ record of Grant Flower.   

ii) Pakistan opening batsmen Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman put a 304-run partnership.

• Highest ever ODI partnership for the opening wicket. The previous record was 286 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) against England at Leeds on July 1, 2006.
• Pakistan’s highest ever ODI partnership for any wicket. The previous record was 263 between Aamer Sohail and Inzamam-ul-Haq for the second wicket against New Zealand at Sharjah on April 20, 1994.
• Second highest ODI partnership for any wicket against Zimbabwe. The highest one is the 372-run partnership for the second wicket between Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels (West Indies) at Canberra on February 24, 2015.
• Fourth highest partnership in overall ODI history.   

iii) Pakistan opening batsman Fakhar Zaman scored 210*

• Highest ODI knock by a Pakistan batsman. The previous record was 194 by Saeed Anwar against India at Chennai on May 21, 1997.
• Highest ODI knock by a batsman in an away game (home of opponent). The previous record was 194 by Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) against India at Chennai on May 21, 1997.
• Second highest ODI knock by a batsman against Zimbabwe. The record is 215 by Chris Gayle (West Indies) at Canberra on February 24, 2015.
• Fifth highest ODI score by a batsman.
• Eighth batsman to score an ODI double-century.

iv) Pakistan scored 399/1 in 50 overs.

• Highest ODI total for Pakistan. Their previous record was 385/7 (50 overs) against Bangladesh at Dambulla on June 21, 2010.
• Joint second highest ODI total for any team against Zimbabwe. The record is 418/5 (50 overs) by South Africa at Potchefstroom on September 20, 2006. South Africa also scored 399/6 (50 overs) against Zimbabwe at Benoni on October 22, 2010.

v) Pakistan won this match by 244 runs.

• Second largest ODI victory (by runs) for Pakistan. Their record is winning by 255 runs against Ireland at Dublin (Malahide) on August 18, 2016.
• Second largest ODI victory (by runs) for any team against Zimbabwe. The record is – South Africa won by 272 runs at Benoni on October 22, 2010.
• Second largest ODI victory (by runs) for any team in an away game (home of opponent). The record is – Pakistan won by 255 runs against Ireland at Dublin (Malahide) on August 18, 2016.