The much awaited series ASIA CUP 2023 started on 30th Aug. The first match is played between PAK and NEP. Nepal is set to embark on its maiden journey in the Asia Cup, and their captain, Rohit Paudel, expressed that this marks a significant milestone for the team. Their pathway to this stage was paved by their triumph in the ACC Premier Cup, a ten-team competition held in April-May. Remarkably, Nepal secured the championship, prevailing over established teams like UAE and Hong Kong, both of whom have prior experience in the Asia Cup.
Table of Contents
Playing XI
PAKISTAN:
1) Babar Azam (C), 2) Imam-ul-Haq, 3)Fakhar Zaman , 4) Mohammad Rizwan (WK), 5) Mohammad Nawaz, 6) Iftikhar Ahmed, 7) Shadab Khan, 8)Agha Salman , 9) Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10)Haris Rauf , 11) Naseem Shah
NEPAL:
1) Rohit Paudel (C), 2) Aasif Sheikh (WK), 3)Kushal Bhurtel , 4)Gulsan Jha , 5) Kushal Malla, 6) Dipendra Singh Airee, 7)Aarif Sheikh, 8) Sompal Kami, 9) Karan KC, 10) Lalit Rajbanshi, 11) Sandeep Lamichhane
Match Updates
Skipper Babar Azam won the toss and choose to bat first on a Multan’s batting track. Though the pitch was termed as “FULL of RUNS”, Opener Fakhar Zaman (14) and Imam-Ul-Haq (5) failed to score big against the weak opponent. At the score of just 25 runs both the openers were dismissed by the unexperienced bowling attack.
From here Skipper Babar Azam (151, 4X14, 6X4) and Mohammad Rizwan (44, 4X6) established a much needed partnership of 86 runs. While Rizwan got out at the individual score of 44, Babar Azam was in different mood
He hit his 19th century on 109 deliveries with 10 boundaries. From here he switched the gear and score next 51 runs in just 31 balls. He got full support from Iftikhar Ahmed who went ballistic with his bat. Iftikhar Ahmed hit his ODI career’s first century in just 67 deliveries.
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At the end of 50 overs, Pakistan gave a gigantic target of 343 runs to Nepal.
When Nepal started their innings, it was apprehensive that they would be able to fight back. The outcome was as per the expectation. Their whole batting order collapsed and one point they were struggling to reach 3-figure score. At last their whole team got out at the score of just 104 runs. They were struggling against every bowler especially Shadab Khan who took 4 wickets at the expense of 27 runs.
Records
238 runs win
Pakistan won the match by 238 runs. This is the second biggest win in Asia Cup followed by India’s 256 runs win against Hongkong in 2008. The 238 runs win is the third-biggest win by runs for Pkaistan in ODIs. The first win was 255 runs win against Ireland in 2016. The second win was 244 runs win against Zimbabwe in 2018.
Babar Azam Century
Babar Azam’s 151 runs knock is the second highest individual score in the history of Asia Cup. The top individual scorer is Virat Kohli, he scored 183 in 2012 against Pakistan. Babar Azam also became first skipper to score 150+ runs in Asia Cup, earlier it was Virat Kohli who scored 136 runs in 2014.
214 run partnership
The 214 runs partnership between Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed is the highest partnership for 5th wicket in men’s ODI in Pakistan. Earlier Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva together added 213 runs in 1997.
Fastest Century
Iftikhar Ahmed hit his debut century in just 67 balls. This is the fourth fastest century in Asia Cup. The fastest century was hit by former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi who took just 53 balls in 2010 to score the ton. The second fastest was Sanath Jayasurya, he scored his ton in 55 balls. Suresh Raina is at third spot and took 66 deliveries to scored his century
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