In a thrilling showdown at the Asia Cup opener, Pakistan displayed their cricketing prowess by overpowering Nepal with a commanding 238-run victory in Multan. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed led the charge with remarkable centuries, leaving Nepal struggling to keep up.
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, showcased his batting brilliance with a stunning 151 runs off 131 balls, marking his 19th One-Day International (ODI) century. Iftikhar Ahmed, on the other hand, delivered an unbeaten 109 runs from just 71 balls, securing his maiden ODI century. Their explosive performances propelled Pakistan to a formidable total of 342-6 in 50 overs.
Nepal faced an uphill battle against Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan proved to be a formidable force, claiming an impressive 4 wickets for 27 runs. The pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed significantly with 2 wickets each. Nepal’s batting lineup struggled to find their rhythm and were dismissed for a mere 104 runs in 23.4 overs.
Nepal’s batting efforts were largely thwarted by Pakistan’s much-acclaimed bowling prowess. Only Sompal Kami (28), Aarif Sheikh (26), and Gulsan Jha (13) managed to reach double figures, highlighting the challenge of facing Pakistan’s skilled bowlers.
This victory sets the tone for Pakistan’s highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in Pallekele on Saturday. The win comes on the heels of Pakistan’s ascent to the world number one spot in the ODI rankings last week.
The Asia Cup is being played on a hybrid model this year, with Pakistan hosting four matches and Sri Lanka hosting nine. This adaptation was necessary after India declined to tour Pakistan due to political tensions. The tournament is divided into Group A featuring Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while title-holders Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan form Group B.
