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Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed's scintillating centuries fuelled Pakistan to a crushing 238-run win over Nepal in Asia Cup 2023 opener on Wednesday, August 30.
Skipper Azam, who blazed his way to 151 off 131 balls, and Ahmed, who scored an unbeaten 109 in just 71 balls for his maiden limited-overs century, were the cornerstones of Pakistan's mammoth total of 342/6. Facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup for the first time, Nepal initially seemed to be putting up a decent fight. They restricted the hosts to 124/4 in the 28th over. However, they had no answers for the torrential run-scoring from Azam and Ahmed in the closing overs. The dynamic duo stitched together a 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket in just 131 balls, single-handedly putting the game out of Nepal's reach.
Azam's innings included 14 boundaries and four sixes, while Ahmed's knock featured 11 boundaries and four maximums. The pair's onslaught helped Pakistan accumulate 129 runs in the final 10 overs, including a staggering 67 runs in the last five overs. Azam survived a dropped catch at 55, courtesy of Nepal's Karan Chhetri, a moment that perhaps sums up Nepal's day on the field, where they often faltered with their ground fielding.
Pakistan's innings had not started on the best of notes, losing opener Fakhar Zaman for just 14 in the sixth over. Imam-ul-Haq was also run out for a paltry five runs, leaving the team teetering at 25/2. Azam then combined with Mohammad Rizwan (44) for an 86-run partnership before the wicketkeeper-batsman was also run out.
While bowling Shadab Khan led Pakistan's bowling attack with a four-wicket haul, effectively dismissing Nepal for a mere 104 runs. Nepal's Sompal Kami was the most effective bowler for his team, picking up 2/85. Sompal was also the top scorer for the losing team as he scored 28 off 46. Meanwhile Babar Azam was awarded the Player of the Match award for his superlative knock.
The Asia Cup 2023 is being played on a hybrid model this year as it is being hosted by two countries. Pakistan is set to host four of the matches, while Sri Lanka will host nine, following India's refusal to tour Pakistan due to ongoing political tensions.
Pakistan will next face arch-rivals India on September 2.
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