On 30 August 2023, the 16th edition of the Asia Cup kicked off in Multan Cricket Stadium between Pakistan and Nepal. After becoming the new number-one ranked ODI team after dating Afghanistan in the recent series 3-0, the Men in Green were looking for a dominating performance in front of the home crowd.
While it was the first time when Nepal were playing in this tournament. So, they were looking for a decent performance against a powerhouse like Pakistan. Speaking of the match, Babar Azam won the toss and opted to at first. But, Nepal had a good start as they picked up two wickets for just 25 runs.
Pakistan registered a 238-run victory over Nepal
Then, Mohammad Rizwan and the number one-ranked ODI batter, Babar Azam put up an 86-run partnership for the third wicket. Rizwan got out on 44 runs and got run out in a bizarre fashion. Then, Agha Salma had a disappointing outing. But, Babar and Iftikhar Ahmed came up with a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket. It also came up from just 131 balls. Babar showed his class as he smashed 151 runs off 131 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes. Iftikhar scored 109* runs off 71 balls and Pakistan put up a mammoth score of 342 runs for six wickets in 50 overs.
Notably, it was Iftikhar’s maiden ODI ton. In reply, Nepal batters were all over the place after losing three wickets for just 14 runs in 1.4 overs. Then, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami showed some fight, putting up a partnership of 59 runs for the third wicket. Sheikh scored 26 runs while Kami managed 28 runs. But, Pakistan were completely dominating as Nepal were 92 runs for eight wickets after 22 overs. Finally, Nepal got bundled out for 104 runs in 23.4 overs and lost the game by 238 runs. Shadab Khan was the star as he took four wickets while both Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each. Both Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah also managed one wicket each.
Here is how fans have reacted:
Most dangerous pace trio of the world cup for a reason
— Classic Mojito (@classic_mojito) August 30, 2023
Great Start Asia Cup
— krishnamoorthy (@krishna99123) August 30, 2023
Nepal is experiencing for the first time at this kind of stage
Hopefully someday…..— Tulip (@puripaw1) August 30, 2023
Well played bete ?
— Gyani Khopdi (@gyaniKhopdi) August 30, 2023
The best pace attack in the world??
— Kylian Mbappè (Parody) (@KMbaappe1) August 30, 2023
Well played Pakistan… See u soon ?
— Amrit Chandravanshi (@Ek_Indian07) August 30, 2023
Proud of you ?
— Imran khan (Parody) (@ImrankhamAOC) August 30, 2023
Minnow basher Team ?
— Half engineer (@Half_engineer5) August 30, 2023
