Pakistan defeated Nepal in the opening encounter of the Asia Cup 2023 at Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan team posted a huge total of 342-6 while batting first where skipper Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed hit their centuries.
In the opening match of the Asia Cup, held at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistan secured a comprehensive victory over Nepal, winning by a margin of 238 runs.
Opting to bat first on a dry pitch didn’t go nicely for Pakistan. They lost their openers early and faced a rough spell during the middle overs. However, the game took a stunning turn when Babar and Iftikhar joined forces, producing an astonishing 214-run partnership off just 131 balls for the fifth wicket. This historic partnership became Pakistan’s highest for this position in ODIs.
Their remarkable efforts increased Pakistan’s total score to 342-6, setting Nepal a daunting goal of 343 to follow. Nepal, playing in their maiden Asia Cup encounter, struggled and could only generate 104 runs in 23.4 overs. It was apparent that Pakistan had outclassed them.
As Babar reached his 19th ODI hundred in 107 balls, following a half-century in 73 balls, Iftikhar switched gears to play a counter-attacking innings. He stormed to his first International century in just 67 balls, radically altering the game’s dynamics.
The match began with Pakistan losing both its openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, within the first ten overs. Zaman was caught behind Karan KC’s ball, while Imam was caught in a run-out owing to a crisp direct hit by skipper Rohit Paudel.
Recovering from a rough start at 25 for two, Babar formed an 86-run partnership with wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, taking Pakistan to the 100-run milestone by the 22nd over. Unfortunately, Rizwan’s elimination came via a run-out due to a great direct throw by fielder Dipendra Singh Airee in the 24th over.
Babar stayed consistent even as wickets fell around him, achieving his fifty in 72 balls. Nepal lost important opportunities to dismiss him at 5 and 55, which Babar profited from. His persistence, timing, and elegance prompted him to achieve the first century of the ongoing event in 109 balls. Babar’s knock of 151, which included 14 fours and four sixes, displayed his talent in the scorching Multan heat. Moreover, he exceeded Hashim Amla’s record by becoming the fastest batter to score 19 hundreds in 102 innings, breaking the previous mark of 104 innings.
Iftikhar’s performance was equally amazing. He went into aggressive play straight from the outset, hitting 11 fours and 4 sixes while keeping a rapid pace. He completed his fifty in 43 deliveries and scored his hundred in just 67 balls, adding to Nepal’s bowling troubles as Pakistan crossed the 300-run mark.
When it was time to defend their huge total, Pakistan struck right away. Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Kushal Bhurtel, while Naseem Shah claimed Aasif Sheikh’s wicket. A 59-run partnership between Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami provided some resistance for Nepal, but their challenge dwindled after Aarif Sheikh was bowled by Haris Rauf in the 15th over and Kami was caught behind two overs later. The Nepal batting order disintegrated, allowing Pakistan a decisive victory. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan played a key role, grabbing four wickets in a superb bowling display.
