Pakistan started with victory in Asia Cup, defeated Nepal by 238 runs

Pakistan started the Asia Cup 2023 with a 238-run victory over Nepal thanks to centuries from Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed and the latter’s excellent bowling.

In the first match played at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistan batted first against Nepal and set a target of 343 runs, in response to which the Nepalese team, facing the Pakistan team for the first time, could score only 104 runs.

Chasing the target, Nepal’s somewhat inexperienced team failed to cope with the Pakistan bowlers and their wickets kept falling one after the other.

Shadab Khan took the most four wickets for Pakistan, including a brilliant catch by Fakhar Zaman.

Apart from Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket each.

Sompal Kami scored the highest 28 runs for Nepal.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first, after the first four wickets fell early, captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored a brilliant 214 runs in the fifth wicket partnership.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam scored the 19th century of his career and scored more than 150 runs for the second time. He played an innings of 151 runs with the help of 14 fours and four sixes and got out in the last over.

Iftikhar Ahmed, who supported him, scored the first century of his ODI career, which included four sixes and 11 fours. Iftikhar Ahmed scored 109 runs not out.

Thus, Pakistan has given Nepal a target of 343 runs to win.

Nepal had a good start against a strong team like Pakistan and the proof of that is the Pakistani openers returning to the pavilion soon. But he could not maintain his performance.

Sonpal Kami managed to take two wickets and Kiran KC, Limichane one each.

Apart from Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman scored 14 runs, Imamul Haq scored five runs, Muhammad Rizwan scored 44 runs, Agha Salman scored five runs and Shadab Khan scored four runs.

On the occasion of the toss, the captain of the national team, Babar Azam, said that ‘the pitch looks good, it is dry, we will enjoy our cricket, we will play good cricket in the Asia Cup.’

Due to India’s objections and decision not to come to Pakistan in the 16th Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council arranged a schedule in which India will play all its matches outside Pakistan.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, after 15 years, the one-day cricket tournament Asia Cup 2023 hosted by Pakistan started at the Multan Cricket Stadium. At the start of the tournament, a colorful opening ceremony was held at the Multan Stadium, in which Pakistani singer Aima Baig and Nepali singer Trishala Gurung created the magic of their voices.

During the ceremony, balloons painted in Pakistani colors were released in the air while the trophy of the Asia Cup was also present in the ground.