Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed guide Pakistan to a mammoth total
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan set a formidable target by amassing a total of 342/6 in their allotted 50 overs. Babar Azam led from the front for the Green Team with a sensational knock of 151 runs off 131 deliveries, comprising 14 fours and four sixes. He was well-supported by Iftikhar Ahmed, who played a scintillating innings of 109 runs off 71 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes. Mohammad Rizwan contributed 44 runs, while Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq also made valuable contributions to the total. Pakistan’s innings showcased a blend of controlled batting and aggressive strokeplay.
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Nepal’s bowlers struggled to contain the Pakistani batters. Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane managed to take a wicket each, but they found it difficult to stem the flow of runs. The other bowlers, including Karan KC and Lalit Rajbanshi, also faced challenges in curtailing the Pakistani onslaught.
Shadab Khan dismantles Nepal’s batting line-up
Chasing a daunting target of 343 runs, Nepal faltered in their innings and were bowled out for just 104 runs in 23.4 overs. Aarif Sheikh was the top scorer for Nepal with 26 runs, while Sompal Kami contributed 28 runs. However, the rest of the batting line-up struggled against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Shadab Khan emerged as the star bowler for Pakistan, claiming four wickets for 27 runs in 6.4 overs. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf both grabbed two scalps each, while Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz also chipped in with wickets. Babar Azam was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his sensational 151-run knock.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan will now next face arch-rivals India at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Pakistan Zindabad! 1st matchTop knock from skipper @babarazam258 and @iftimania 1st century with style
followed by a brilliant performance by all bowlers specially mera yaar Shaddy
InshAllah let's keep this positive momentum for the next big challenges. Safe flight
pic.twitter.com/K2oOn8AkDY
— Hassan Ali(@RealHa55an) August 30, 2023
In the opening match of the 2023 Asia Cup, Pakistan secured a victory against Nepal with a substantial margin of 238 runs; well Done, Pakistan.#PAKvNEP #PAKvsNEP #AsiaCup2023 #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/MhbWmhp1UL
— Shaharyar Ejaz(@SharyOfficial) August 30, 2023
These all Superstar today in opening match against Nepal
Especially King Babar Azam#AsiaCup2023 #BabarAzam #PAKvNEP pic.twitter.com/O3fwMqZYmN
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy) August 30, 2023
Kicking off the Asia Cup campaign with a bang! Nothing beats the feeling of contributing to the team's success. A massive salute to @babarazam258 for his majestic 151 – true captaincy and leadership at its finest. Let's conquer the cup.#AsiaCup2023#PAKvsNEP pic.twitter.com/8p1iqUFoeB
— Iftikhar Ahmad (@iftiiMania) August 30, 2023
Iftimania PowerWhat a Century
#AsiaCup2023 #GOAT𓃵 #PAKvsNEP #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/Ufvu45taR5
— Akhtar Jamal (@AkhtarActivist) August 30, 2023
Another Babar Azam century! Woah#PAKvsNEP #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/719nmSr6dq
— Arsalan Naseer – CBA (@ArslanNaseerCBA) August 30, 2023
This is the first time a Pakistani batsman has scored an ODI hundred while batting at 6 or lower since 2014.
Last one was Umar Akmal against Afghanistan which was also in Asia Cup.#AsiaCup2023 #PAKvsNEP pic.twitter.com/ggkGFp1QPA
— Nawaz
Everytime King stands tall for his team#PAKvsNEP pic.twitter.com/OUS4PJ7MfJ
— ░░░░░eer(@Undercashmeer) August 30, 2023
no mania is bigger than IFTIMANIA !! unreal stuff from Iftikhar Ahmed#PAKvsNEP #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/tsitTYAtZh
— Hamxa
Shaheen Shah Afridi & First Over Never Ending Story
— 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗭𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗱¹⁰ |(@Iam_hassan10) August 30, 2023
Career-best ODI figures of 4/27 for Shadab Khan
All Pakistan bowlers took wickets tonight. Promising signs Ma Shaa Allah
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 30, 2023
Shadab Khan, The Match Winner, Takes his Third Wicket
— Shaharyar Ejaz
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