MULTAN: In the opening match of the Asia Cup, Pakistan’s top-ranked batsmen, Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, displayed dominant performances, each scoring centuries. Pakistan reached a total of 342-6 against Nepal. The second half of the game is currently underway.
Captain Babar Azam achieved a remarkable 151 runs off 131 balls. Iftikhar Ahmed contributed an undefeated 109 runs in just 71 balls, marking his first century in the 50-over format.
Nepal, participating in the Asia Cup for the first time, initially contained the home team to 124-4 in the 28th over. However, they struggled to counter the formidable batting of Azam and Ahmed during the later overs.
The duo forged an impressive partnership of 214 runs from 131 balls for the fifth wicket. Babar Azam struck 14 boundaries and four sixes. On the other hand, Ahmed recorded 11 boundaries and four sixes. They significantly boosted Pakistan’s total by contributing 129 runs in the final 10 overs.
Babar had a stroke of luck when he was dropped on 55 as Karan Chhetri missed a caught-and-bowled opportunity. Nepal’s ground fielding also showed occasional lapses.
Pakistan faced early setbacks as opener Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for 14 in the sixth over, and Imam-ul-Haq was run out for five, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 25-2.
Babar then combined forces with Mohammad Rizwan (44), amassing 86 runs for the third wicket before Rizwan fell to a run-out. Agha Salman contributed only five runs, which set the stage for Babar and Ahmed to orchestrate a recovery.
Nepal’s best performance came from fast bowler Sompal Kami, who secured figures of 2-85.
Using a hybrid model, this year’s Asia Cup has Pakistan hosting four matches and Sri Lanka hosting nine. India declined to tour Pakistan due to political tensions.
