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 had set a target of 343 runs while batting first against Nepal, 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 its 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.
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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 would 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 Nepalese 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.
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Interview with Cricket Analyst, Ayesha Malik on Pakistan’s Dominating Victory Over Nepal in Asia Cup 2023
Editor: Welcome, Ayesha! Thanks for joining us today. Pakistan started the Asia Cup 2023 with an impressive victory against Nepal. What were your thoughts on the match performance?
Ayesha Malik: Thank you for having me! Pakistan’s performance was remarkable, especially considering they faced a relatively inexperienced Nepalese team for the first time. Scoring 238 runs and securing a win was a huge boost for them. The partnership between Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed was a standout moment, with Babar showcasing his class and scoring his 19th ODI century.
Editor: Absolutely! Speaking of partnerships, the fifth-wicket stand was crucial. How significant was it for Pakistan after the early wickets?
Ayesha Malik: It was extremely significant. After losing early wickets, the pressure was on Babar and Iftikhar to stabilize the situation. Their 214-run partnership not only set a solid foundation but also allowed Pakistan to post a formidable total of 343. Iftikhar Ahmed’s century was particularly noteworthy as it marked his first in ODIs, which is a testament to his growth as a player.
Editor: On the bowling side, Shadab Khan stood out with four wickets. How did the bowling unit perform overall?
Ayesha Malik: Shadab was indeed the star with the ball, but the entire bowling attack was effective. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were both impactful, taking two wickets each, and Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz contributed as well. The bowlers exploited Nepal’s inexperience excellently, and it’s worth noting the fantastic catch by Fakhar Zaman, which was a highlight for the fielding side.
Editor: Nepal had a tough outing, particularly against the Pakistani bowling attack. How do you see their performance overall?
Ayesha Malik: While Nepal struggled, we should acknowledge that it was their first encounter with a team of Pakistan’s caliber. They started well, but once the wickets began to fall, their momentum shifted dramatically. Sompal Kami’s innings of 28 was commendable, but they need to learn quickly from this experience. It’s crucial for them to move forward positively as they participate in more matches in this tournament.
Editor: With this opening win, what does this mean for Pakistan’s campaign in the Asia Cup?
Ayesha Malik: This victory sets a strong precedent for Pakistan, boosting their confidence as they head into tougher matches. Maintaining consistency will be key for them as they look to leverage this win and build momentum. They have shown their capability, and now it’s about capitalizing on this early success.
Editor: Thank you, Ayesha, for your insights! It’ll be exciting to see how the tournament progresses for Pakistan and Nepal.
Ayesha Malik: Thank you for having me! It’s always a thrill to discuss cricket, especially in a tournament like the Asia Cup.
Fridi and Haris Rauf also contributed significantly with two wickets each, while the rest of the bowlers kept the pressure on Nepal’s batting lineup. The fielding was sharp as well, highlighted by Fakhar Zaman’s incredible catch. This all-around performance shows that Pakistan’s bowling unit is in great form and ready for the challenges ahead in the tournament.
Editor: Given the team’s solid start, what do you think Pakistan needs to focus on moving forward in the Asia Cup?
Ayesha Malik: Consistency is key. While they showcased great batting and bowling depth against Nepal, they need to maintain this level of performance in upcoming matches, especially against tougher opponents. Additionally, they should focus on building partnerships in batting and ensuring their bowling remains disciplined to avoid any slip-ups. Mentally, they should stay confident but hungry for improvement.
Editor: Lastly, how do you see Nepal’s performance in this match? What can they learn from this experience?
Ayesha Malik: For Nepal, it was a learning experience. Facing a high-quality team like Pakistan for the first time can be daunting, but they had some promising moments, especially with the way they started. They need to build on this experience, learn to handle pressure situations, and develop their skills, particularly in composure during chase scenarios. It’s an important step for them in their cricketing journey.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Ayesha! It was a pleasure having you on.
Ayesha Malik: Thank you! Looking forward to discussing more cricket with you in the future!
