MULTAN – Pakistan on Wednesday defeated Nepal by 238 runs in first game of the Asia Cup 2023 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Shadab Khan’s four-fers and thrilling performance by other bowlers dismissed all Nepal team at 104 in 23.4 overs as the visitors were chasing a mammoth target of 343 runs.
No any player of the Nepal team could cross the 10-run mark as they seemed helpless in front of Pakistani bowlers.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first against the visitors.
A brilliant partnership between Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed powered Pakistan to set a mammoth target of 343 runs for Nepal.
The team green suffered early losses as Fakhar Zaman and Imamul Haq failed to gave strong opening partnership to the team. After their dismissal, Babar Azam played captain’s innings while Mohammad Rizwan tried to boost the total before his dismissal at 44.
After Pakistan lost fourth wicket of Salman Ali Aghan, middle order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed joined Babar and they jointly made the day for the Team Green.
2️⃣1️⃣4️⃣ runs off 1️⃣3️⃣1️⃣ balls – highest fifth-wicket partnership in ODIs for Pakistan ????????
How good were these two today❓#PAKvNEP | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/sjG4f0weSQ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 30, 2023
The skipper smashed 151 runs off 131 balls while Iftikhar hit maiden ODI century off 67 balls, helping Pakistan to build a strong target for opponent team.
Pakistan are eyeing to clinch the Asia Cup title ahead of the World Cup campaign.
