Asia Cup: Babar Azam Hits Century Against Nepal in Opening Match, Garnering Spotlight

The Asia Cup's inaugural showdown witnessed Pakistan squaring off against Nepal at the vibrant Multan Cricket Stadium. In this enthralling kickstart to the Asia Cup held in Multan, Pakistan won the toss against Nepal and elected to bat first, amassing a substantial 230 runs while losing only 4 wickets across 42 overs.

As the match unfolded in the heart of Multan, the opening batsman Fakhar Zaman faced familiar challenges, grappling to make a significant dent with a modest 14 runs before conceding his wicket. Imam-ul-Haq added 5 runs to the tally before departing, while Mohammad Rizwan showcased his prowess with a confident 44 runs before his exit. Agha Salman chipped in 5 runs before making his exit from the field. Captain Babar Azam etched his nineteenth century in One Day Internationals (ODIs), a remarkable 103 runs, ably accompanied by Fakhar Zaman's impressive 52 runs at the crease.

On the Nepali front, Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane demonstrated their prowess by each securing a wicket.

In the inaugural match of the tournament, Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain, clinched the toss and opted for a formidable batting start, expressing his belief in the pitch's favorability for scoring. He emphasized the team's determination to build a robust score against their adversaries.

On the flip side, Nepal's skipper Rohit Poudel noted that had they won the toss, they would have similarly chosen to bat first, striving to exert early pressure on the Pakistani team and swiftly secure key wickets.

Pakistan's Squad:

Captain Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.

Nepal's Squad:

Captain Rohit Poudel, Keshav Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Arif Sheikh, Keshav Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi.