Comfortable win for host Pakistan
Pakistan registered a 238-run win over Nepal in the opening match of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 on Wednesday at Multan. Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first.
After winning the toss, Pakistan scored 342 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 50 overs. After losing both openers early, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam made an 86-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Rizwan unfortunately ran out for 44 runs. Babar Azam was the top scorer with 151 runs in 131 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed contributed with an unbeaten 109 runs in 71 balls.
In reply to that, Nepal bundled out for 104 runs in 23.4 overs. Nepal lost 3 wickets within 2 overs. After that, Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami made 59 runs for the fourth wicket. Sompal Kami was the top scorer with 28 runs, and Aarif Sheikh scored 26 runs. Gulsan Jha contributed 13 runs. Other than that, no one was able to cross the double-figure mark. Shadab Khan was the star with the ball and claimed 4 wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf chipped in with 2 wickets each.
