The 16th edition of the Asia Cup is currently underway at the Multan Cricket Stadium with Pakistan taking on Nepal in the tournament opener on Wednesday, August 30. Babar Azam-led Pakistan entered the continental event as the world’s No. 1 ODI team after a recent 3-0 series whitewash against Afghanistan. On the other hand, Nepal made their debut in the marquee event after winning the 2023 Men’s Premier Cup.
It is noteworthy that the Asia Cup is returning to Pakistan after 15 years. However, a special day for the Men in Green was also an embarrassment for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the entire nation as the Multan stands were completely empty for the tournament opener. With a major multi-national tournament returning to Pakistani soil after many years, fans were expected to flock to the stadium to support their team.
Before the start of the Pakistan-Nepal match, there was an opening ceremony which included a beautiful performance by prominent Pakistani singer Aima Baig. However, a picture of an empty stadium in Multan went viral on social media and fans across the world expressed their frustration and trolled Pakistan on social media.
Pakistan will host four 2023 Asia Cup matches, while the remaining nine matches, including India’s games, will be held in Sri Lanka. The Asian Cricket Council came up with the hybrid model of hosting after the Indian Cricket Board refused to allow its men to travel to Pakistan.
Talking about the match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Fakhar Zaman got the 2023 Asia Cup off to a cracking start with a first-ball boundary. However, Karan KC managed to get rid of the southpaw in the sixth over, giving Nepal an early breakthrough.
Pakistan vs Nepal Playing XI for the inaugural Asia Cup 2023 match:
Nepal (Playing XI): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Rohit Paudel(c), Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Here’s how fans reacted to the image of empty Multan Cricket Stadium that hosts the Asia Cup 2023 opener between Pakistan and Nepal:
Pak is killing cricket and PCB wants Indian team to play there.
— *Roe Joot* (@ImGani22) August 30, 2023
Domestic cricket m isse jyada crowd hota?
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) August 30, 2023
No craze for Pakistan in Pakistan
— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 30, 2023
Aur inhe Pura Asia cup chahiye tha
— AP (@AksP009) August 30, 2023
Bilkul risk nahi lene ka
— Ayushi (@Ayushihihaha) August 30, 2023
Aur pakistan Wale mar rahe the ki Pakistan me match kyun nahi hota ye dekho ?
— Md Zishan Alam (@izishan7) August 30, 2023
Aur inko pura #AsiaCup23 host karvana tha…??
— Ashish Prajapati?? (@Aash_prajapati) August 30, 2023
Why?? Is the crowd not allowed or no one has bought tickets??
— Telugu Digi (@TeluguDz) August 30, 2023
But Babar Azam Is The Biggest Crowd Puller ?
— Tas ?? (@TasneemKhatai1) August 30, 2023
