Babar Azam showcased a brilliant performance with a score of 151 runs, while Iftikhar Ahmed achieved his first-ever century in One Day Internationals (ODIs) as Pakistan overwhelmed Nepal with a comprehensive victory of 238 runs in the inaugural match of the Asia Cup, held on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to accumulate a formidable total of 342 for six, with key contributions from Babar and Iftikhar.
Despite a slow beginning, Babar’s innings gained momentum through two crucial partnerships. The first, an 86-run collaboration with Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 50), laid the foundation. Subsequently, a dynamic and electrifying alliance of 214 runs between Babar and Iftikhar (109 not out off 71 balls) propelled Pakistan to an imposing total.
Babar’s innings sparkled with 14 fours and four sixes, while Iftikhar’s explosive batting exhibited 11 boundaries and four maximums.
The initial phase of Pakistan’s innings was marked by the loss of both openers, setting a challenging tone for the team.
For Nepal, the pursuit was always a daunting task, and it unfolded accordingly
Kushal Bhurtel initiated Nepal’s chase with back-to-back boundaries off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s opening deliveries. However, Afridi staged a remarkable recovery, dismissing Bhurtel and Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel in the same over.
In the subsequent over, Naseem Shah joined the action by inducing an outside edge from Aasif Sheikh. Iftikhar displayed swift reflexes and secured the catch, pushing Nepal’s score to a vulnerable 14 for 3.
Aarif Sheikh (26) and Sompal Karmi aimed to stabilize Nepal’s innings through a 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Nonetheless, Haris Rauf dismantled Aarif Sheikh’s defenses.
Rauf continued his dominance by dismissing Nepal’s top-scorer, Sompal (28), in the following over. As a result, Nepal found themselves struggling at a score of 82 for 5.
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