‘Shabash Pakistan’ -Fans react as Pakistan register crushing 238 run win over Nepal in Asia Cup 2023

The first match of Asia Cup 2023 took place between Pakistan and Nepal and the Multan Cricket Stadium. The coin went the way of Pakistan as they elected to bat first. The Men in Green got off to a slippery start as Fakhar Zaman was the first one to go with the score at 21. He was caught by Aasif Shiekh off Karan KC. Imam-ul-Haq did not have the best of starts in the tournament.  He was run out by Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel for 5 off 14 balls.

Pakistan were in dire straits at 25-2 and they needed something special. Babar Azam came at number three and weathered the storm successfully. Mohammad Rizwan kept the runs flowing at the other end as well and he played a stroke-filled 44 off 50 balls with six fours. When he was run out by Dipendra Singh, Agha Salman too was caught by Kushal Bhurtel off Sandeep Lamichhane for just 5 off 14 balls. Then came a strong reply from Pakistan.

Babar Azam smashed 151 off 131 balls to put Pakistan in a dominant position

Babar Azam grinded it out in the heat at Multan and scored a cracking 151 off 131 balls with 14 fours and four sixes. Iftikhar Ahmed provided him with wonderful company at the other end as he helped himself to an unbeaten109 off 71 balls with 11 fours and four sixes. Be it the onside or the offside, he had a shot for every ball. It was also a special occasion as it was a maiden ODI hundred for him. The duo put on a fantastic batting performance to help Pakistan register a massive total of 342-6 in their 50 overs.

In the second innings, it was a trial by fire for the Nepal batters to face the likes of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. Afridi picked up Bhurtel and also skipper Paudel. Shiekh was snapped up by Naseem. Rauf picked up two scalps and Mohammad Nawaz sent back Dipendra. The Pakistan bowling unit was too hot to handle for the Nepal batters. Shadab Khan dismissed Gulshan Jha. He was out caught by a brilliant catch from Fakhar Zaman.

Lamichhane was the wrist-spinner’s second scalp as he was castled. Shadab then dismissed Kushal Malla. he then delivered the final nail in the coffin to hand Pakistan an authoritative 238-run win to start their Asia Cup campaign on a high. It was a superb all-round performance from the Men in Green.

Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:

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