pakistan defeated nepal in first match of asia cup 2023

Babar scored 150 runs for the second time

Babar Azam scored 151 runs in 131 balls with the help of 14 fours and four sixes, while Iftikhar scored 109 runs in 71 balls with the help of 11 fours and four sixes. This is Iftikhar’s first ODI century, then the same Babar became the batsman who completed 19 centuries in the shortest innings. Babar took 104 matches and 102 innings to reach his 19th century. Earlier this record was in the name of Hasim Amla of South Africa who reached this point in 104 innings. Virat Kohli has now slipped to the third position. Kohli scored his 19th ODI century in 124 innings.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat. Sompal and Karan bowled tight, which Nepal got the advantage in the sixth over. Fakhar Zaman (14) caught wicketkeeper Asif Sheikh on Karan’s ball. In the next over, Imam-ul-Haq (five) returned to the pavilion after being run out on the precise throw of captain Rohit Paudel.

Rizwan was also run out

After this, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan focused on batting carefully. Babar completed the team’s century in the 22nd over by hitting a four off Dipendra Singh Airi. Rizwan hit a four against Lamichhane in the 24th over but missed out on completing his half-century when he was run out on the next ball. He hit six fours in his 50-ball innings. Rizwan and Babar laid the foundation for a big score by sharing 86 runs in 106 balls. Lamichhane gave the fourth blow to Pakistan by dismissing Agha Salman (five).

After this Babar got the support of Iftikhar Ahmed. Babar completed his 19th century in ODIs by taking two runs off Dipendra in the 42nd over. In the same over, Iftikhar also completed his fifty in 43 balls. After this both started scoring fast. Babar completed his 150 runs in 129 balls. Iftikhar completed his first century of ODI career in just 67 balls by hitting fours, sixes and then fours against Karan in the 49th over. Babar was caught by Sompal in the last over but Pakistan scored 129 runs in the last 10 overs.

Nepal’s batting failed

It was considered difficult for Nepal to face Pakistan’s fast bowling and the same happened. Shaheen Afridi took two wickets in two consecutive balls after eating two consecutive fours in the very first over. He dismissed Kushal Bhurtel (8) and captain Rohit Paudel (0). In the second over, Asif Sheikh (5) became the victim of Naseem Shah. Arif Sheikh and Sompal Kami showed some courage for the fourth wicket.

There was a 59-run partnership between the two. But Arif (26) was bowled by Haris Rauf and Nepal’s innings was again derailed. Nepal’s team, which lost the fourth wicket for 73 runs, was all out for 104 runs. Shadab Khan took 4 wickets for Pakistan while Afridi and Rauf took 2-2 wickets.

Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam sets Nepal bowlers’ class, breaks Amla’s record by hitting century PAK vs NEP: Mohammad Rizwan made fun of himself, Babar Azam got angry when he was run out like a child Asia Cup 2023: Ran fast and dived, yet life was not saved, Captain Rohit’s rocket throw made Imam-ul-Haq’s game