In the first match of the Asia Cup 2023 held yesterday (30), hosts Pakistan easily secured a win against Nepal by 238 runs.
Pakistan Captain Babar Azam scored 151 runs in a superb inning, which included 14 fours and 4 sixes.
This was Azam’s 19th ODI hundred and Iftikhar Ahmed smashed 109 off 71 balls.
Babar’s 151 off 131 deliveries and his double-century fifth-wicket stand with Iftikhar provided Pakistan a strong total of 342-6 after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat in the Group A game.
Nepal, making its first appearance in the Asia Cup, was bowled out for 104 in 23.4 overs.
Imam Ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman opened the Pakistan innings. However, they could not get off to a successful start and the first 2 wickets fell at 25 runs.
Zaman scored 14 runs while Ul Haq scored 5 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan put on an 86-run stand for the third wicket with Captain Azam.
Rizwan scored 44 runs and Iftikhar Ahmed scored 109 runs not out.
Sompal Kami took 2 wickets for Nepal.
At the end of 50 overs, Pakistan scored 342 for 6 wickets.
The first 3 players of Nepal were out at 14.
Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami kept the game going until the fourth wicket fell at 59 runs.
Due to the skillful bowling of the Pakistan team, eight Nepalese batsmen left the field without scoring beyond 10 runs.
Shadab Khan took 4 wickets for 27 runs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf took 2 wickets each.
At the end of 23 overs and 4 balls, the Nepali team was able to score only 104 runs.
