It was this Friday that Fakhar Zaman achieved one of the rarest things seen in the international cricket. He scored an unbeaten 210 from mere 156 balls to defeat Zimbabwe one more time in the fourth ODI of the series which is being played between the two sides in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He moved past the previous record which was set by Saeed Anwar more than 21 years ago. This was not the only record that tumbled but the opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq completed a triple hundred partnership which was again the highest ever partnership of Pakistan for any wicket. Let's rank all the double centuries scored so far in an ascending order based on the quality of the innings.
Rank 8 - Rohit Sharma 208* v/s Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma is the only batsman in the world to score three double centuries and is currently considered as the most destructive opener in the game. His third double ton came against Sri Lanka in December 2017. Rohit Sharma has already set a standard of performance where he has been hitting the ball in every corner of the ground. This double hundred was not the best of his innings as he was playing against a very poor Sri Lankan bowling side and still managed to end with the strike-rate of only 135.95. Even this rate looked difficult when he got to his hundred at a strike-rate less than 100 but he managed to accelerate and get to the double century in a very quick span to add third ODI double ton to his record book. The interesting thing about the innings was how he got to his second hundred in only 36 balls.
Rank 7 - Rohit Sharma 209 v/s Australia
One of the highest scored series between Australia and India in 2013 lead to the first ever double century of the Indian Opener Rohit Sharma. This series and in particular this innings helped Rohit Sharma to get in the record books by scoring his first ever double ton that too against a formidable opponent. Rohit Sharma started slowly and then finished with a bang to give the audience a real treat to have. It is by then he is known as the most dangerous batsman who can score runs heavily and can accelerate at any moment of the game. This is ranked 7th as the innings was scored at a slower pace on flatter conditions.
Rank 6 - Fakhar Zaman 210* v/s Zimbabwe
One of the recent innings that has surprised the world will be the innings of Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan has been struggling to find a strong top and middle order for a long time now but the days of worry have started to end with the inclusion of some talented players in the squad. Fakhar Zaman who already showed some of his talents in the champions trophy final against India scored a brilliant double century this Friday against Zimbabwe as the team is struggling to make an impact with bat or ball. Zaman played a breathtaking inning and it took him only 17 ODI matches to score a Double Ton against Zimbabwe.
Rank 5 - Virender Sehwag 219 v/s West Indies
Who can forget the strokeplay of Virender Sehwag as he is still considered the greatest of openers of all time. One of the greatest examples of perfect timing and the one who believed in playing a natural game in all the circumstances. This double century came against West Indies in the year 2011 when Virender Sehwag was leading the side for the tour. Sehwag and Gambhir started in a routine fashion and smashed the bowlers all around the park. Sehwag took the bowlers through a storm and reached to his highest score ever in the 44th over. He could have scored more but lost his wicket in the 47th Over of the game.
Rank 4 - Chris Gayle 215 v/s Zimbabwe
One of the Craziest player titles can be given to the sensational and star player Christopher Henry Gayle. This Jamaican cricketer may have been the center of attention for many controversies but little can anyone forget about the class he brings to the game. He is known for his hard-hitting and huge sixes. However, in the 2015 World Cup game against Zimbabwe, he came up with a show of his life where he could be seen taking the responsibility of the game and paced the game in a nice and professional manner to get to his first ever double century. Towards the end of his innings, he could be seen hitting all bowlers everywhere and cleared the ropes easily t even score 20 runs per over against a weak Zimbabwean bowling attack.
Rank 3 - Rohit Sharma 264 vs Sri Lanka
If we could go back and take a look at the cricketing history we would find out that a total of 250 runs was considered a competitive score in the 50 over format of the game. Rohit Sharma stunned the world of cricket by scoring 264 runs in a single innings against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma who has already scored three double tons got to his highest score against Sri Lanka when he scored 264 runs in a match. His innings still holds the record for highest ever runs scored by a batsman in a match. This inning is considered as the best of the innings played in a one day game where the records were shattered and the name of Rohit Sharma overtook everything on the books.
Rank 2 - Martin Guptill 237* vs West Indies
Who among us would have thought of someone getting to 237* runs in a World Cup knockout stage against the top cricket playing nation of all time?
Martin Guptill who has been in the New Zealand squad for some time now came up with a scintillating inning of his life when scored an unbeaten 237 runs against West Indies in the knockout stage of the World Cup. The inning could be called as the best ever that has been played in a world cup under pressure. Dropped on the third ball of the innings he never looked back and hammered the West Indian bowling Line-up to get to his first ever double century and to record the same as the first ever for New Zealand in history.
Rank 1 - Sachin Tendulkar 200* v/s South Africa
It took around 40 years before someone could actually think of getting a double century in an ODI game. The first ever double hundred came from the bat of the great Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the best batsman ever in the history of Cricket and is also known as the God of Cricket. There would have been no better cricketer than him to reach this score that too against one of the world's top bowling line-up of South Africa. Little Master showed it to the world that how the cricketing shots were still the best ways to score big in any format of the game. Dale Steyn was taken for 89 runs in his spell of ten overs. Sachin will always be proud of reaching the mark of 200 runs before anyone else could do it. This inning was a gift to the huge fandom that Sachin has throughout the world.
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