Pakistan crush Nepal in Asia Cup opener

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan have inflicted a an emphatic 238-run win over Nepal in the opener of the 2023 Asia Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Skipper Babar Azam, who opted to bat first, and top-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed smashed impressive centuries to steer the hosts to victory in Wednesday's match.

Off to a shaky start, Pakistan lost openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq and struggled at 25 for two after 6.1 overs.

But an 86-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (44) and Azam brought much-needed stability to the Pakistani innings.

Later, the Pakistani captain and Iftikhar forged a 214-run stand, with hitting centuries. Babar chipped in with 151 and became the second batsman to cross the landmark in Asia Cup history.

In a gutsy show of big hitting, Iftikhar also reached his century off 67 deliveries, the fourth fastest ton in the Asia Cup. He contributed unbeaten on 109 off 71 balls, smashing 11 boundaries and four sixes.

Quickie Shaheen Afridi gave the hosts early breakthroughs by removing opener Kushal Bhurtel and captain Rohit Paudel in the first over.

In the second over, Naseem Shah dismissed Aasif Sheikh and thereby reduced Nepal, widely seen as minnows, to 14 for three.

Although Sompal Kami and Aarif Sheikh put up some resistance, pacer Haris Rauf struck twice to get rid of both.

Shadab Khan, bowling aggressively, took four wickets to weep up Nepal’s tail and played a crucial role in bundling the opposition out for 104 in the 24th over handing Pakistan a 238-run win.

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