Pakistan skipper Babar Azam expressed optimism for the team's upcoming blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India, following a resounding 238-run win over Nepal in their Asia Cup opener. The victory not only marked a strong start for Pakistan in the Asia Cup but also served as a confidence booster ahead of their much-anticipated match against India in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam's Take on the Nepal Win: A Confidence Builder for India Clash
"This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence. We want to give 100 per cent every match, hope to do that there as well," Babar Azam stated post-match. The Pakistan captain led from the front, smashing 151 runs, his 19th ODI century, to set up an imposing total of 342 for six wickets after opting to bat first.
Babar and Iftikhar Steal the Show
Babar Azam was instrumental in two pivotal partnerships that shaped Pakistan's innings. Initially, he stitched together an 86-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 44 off 50 balls. "When I went in, I played a couple of balls. The ball wasn't coming on, the pitch was two-paced. (Mohammad) Rizwan and I built the partnership and see what happened. Sometimes, Rizwan gave me confidence and vice-versa," Babar elaborated.
The tempo of the game changed dramatically when Iftikhar Ahmed came to the crease. He scored his maiden ODI century, contributing 109 not out. The duo shared a whirlwind 214-run partnership for the fifth wicket. "When Iftikhar came, the tempo changed. He played well too. After two-three fours, he was comfortable, he smacked it after 40 overs," Babar added.
Shadab Khan Leads the bowling charge
In response to Pakistan's mammoth total, Nepal were bowled out for a meagre 104 runs in just 23.4 overs. Shadab Khan was the star bowler for Pakistan, claiming four wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each. "I'm satisfied. A couple of overs we were not up to the mark. Pacers did well, spinners struck too," Babar commented.
High Stakes and High Hopes for Pakistan-India Clash
The comprehensive win over Nepal has set the stage for Pakistan's upcoming face-off against India in the Asia Cup. With boosted confidence and key players in form, Pakistan aims to continue its winning streak in what promises to be one of the most-watched cricket matches of the year. How Babar Azam and his team perform against India will be a defining moment in their Asia Cup journey.
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