The first match of the Asia Cup 2023, which featured the host team Pakistan facing off against Nepal, saw a significantly sparse crowd in attendance at the Multan Cricket Stadium located in Multan.
Interestingly, after many years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally obtained the hosting rights for a major tournament. However, there’s a conspicuous absence of fans in the stands this time around. While the official attendance figures haven’t been disclosed by the host nation, images and videos plainly illustrate the unfilled seats within the stadium.
Turning our attention to the contest itself, Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, made the decision to bat first after winning the coin toss. The opponent they’re facing is a team regarded to be on the weaker side. With this in mind, the primary goal is to put up a significant score on the board. This tactic intends not just to generate momentum but also to provide their batsmen with a lift before the highly anticipated confrontation against their arch-rivals, India, set for September 2nd in Sri Lanka.
It’s extremely fascinating because, before the match, Babar Azam made it plain that they aren’t underestimating Nepal and are totally focused on getting the job done. With their recent 3-0 victory against Afghanistan, the Men in Green have moved to become the top-ranked team in ODI cricket. Babar agrees that this rating creates some pressure, but he regards it as a constructive force that pushes them ahead.
Nepal, on the flip side, is participating in their maiden Asia Cup. Granted ODI status in 2018, they’ve made great growth in just five years and are hungry to make a mark in this ongoing competition. Captain Rohit Paudel, along with Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane, will play crucial roles and seek to upset the established teams.
In the meantime, Karan dealt the first blow to the home team by getting the key wicket of Fakhar Zaman. The 33-year-old Fakhar is going through a challenging time, having missed out on opportunities in the series against Afghanistan and registering only 14 runs in the opening match against Nepal. Captain Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq are now striving to consolidate the team after the initial setback and give a stable foundation.
