MULTAN: Blistering centuries by Pakistani batters Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed helped Pakistan amass 342/6 against minnows Nepal on Wednesday when the two sides faced each other at the Multan Cricket Stadium for the Asia Cup opener.
Pakistan’s captain Azam won the toss and opted to bat first against Nepal earlier in the day. Pakistan’s openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq were dismissed for 14 and 5 runs respectively. At 25/2, Pakistan were in trouble before wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan put up an 86-run partnership with Azam to steady Pakistan.
Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmad (right) plays a shot as Nepal's Aasif Sheikh watches during the one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal, in Multan on August 30, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Cricket Board)
Rizwan departed for the pavilion at 44 runs from 50 balls. Pakistani batter Salman Ali Agha failed to impress again, managing only 5 runs from 14 balls before he was dismissed by Sandeep Lamicchane.
Ahmed and Azam then set up a solid 224-run partnership with the former scoring an unbeaten 109 runs from 71 balls in an innings that featured 11 boundaries and four sixes.
Azam, on the other hand, scored a massive 151 runs from 131 balls in an innings that featured 14 boundaries and four sixes. Azam was dismissed by Sompal Kami after he mistimed a hit, which landed straight into the hands of a Nepalese fielder.
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan bats during the one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal, in Multan on August 30, 2023. (AP)
Kami took two wickets for Nepal KC Karan and Lamichhane took a wicket each as Pakistan finished at 342/6 at the end of 50 overs.
The six-nation Asia Cup — which Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-hosting after India refused to tour Pakistan over political tensions — will include three other matches in Lahore before the tournament shifts to Kandy and Colombo.
The tournament is a final chance for teams from the region to size each other up before the World Cup in India starting in October.
Nepalese players stand for their national anthem before the start of the one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal,in Multan on August 30, 2023. (AP)
Match referee David Boon, center, umpires, officials of Nepal and Pakistan Cricket Board stand beside trophy during a ceremony before the start of the opening one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal, in Multan on August 30, 2023. (AP)
Pakistani players stand for their national anthem before the start of the one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal, in Multan on August 30, 2023. (AP)
