PAK vs NEP, Asia Cup 2023 Highlights: Pakistan smashes Nepal in opening match, beats by 238 runs

The Pakistani bowler made it difficult for the Nepal batters to stand on the pitch and the team lost wickets one after another. By 23.4 overs, Nepal could mange to score just 104 runs and were all out. With this, Pakistan defeated Nepal by 238 runs.

Pakistan will face its arch-rival India on 2 September (Saturday)

After struggling to chase a whopping 343 runs target, Nepal batting order collapsed and lost 8 wickets to Pakistan in just 22 overs. Currently, Nepal is at 91/8 in 22 overs

The 20th over yielded just 2 runs as Nawaz is brought in for 21st over. He starts with 2 dots. He strikes in his very first over. Dipendra Singh out

Rauf continues and Jha takes a single to start this over off. Dipendra sees off the next two balls for no runs while taking a single off the fourth. Just a single off the last delivery

The Nepal batting order seems to be collapsing as it lost its 5th wicket of Sompal Kami to Haris Rauf in the 16.6 over. Currently Nepal is batting at 85/5 in 18.4 overs.

As Nepal was looking to stablise a bit, it lost its 4th wicket of Aarif Sheikh to Haris Rauf in the 14.4 over. Nepal is at 76/4 in 15 overs.

50 run partnership just 64 balls now between Aarif and Sompal. The resistance that they have put up against Afrid and Naseem, and now Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, is quite extraordinary.

After facing the Pakistani pacers like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, Nepal managed to sail in the powerplays. Though, it lost all its openers, its middle-order batters are trying to settle down. Nepal scored 47/3 in 10 overs.

Chasing a whopping target of 343 runs against Pakistan, Nepal lost all three openers in quick succession, all thanks to the brilliant bowling attack by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

However, the team, despite looks limping and struggling, has keep the runrate near to 6 per over. Currently Aarif Sheikh and Aarif Sheikh are trying to stablise the innings. Nepal is at 42/3 on 8 overs.

Nepal loses third wicket of Aasif Sheikh to Naseem Shah. With this, both its openers went straight to pavilion at 14/3 in just 2 overs. 

Shaheen Afridi opens the innings with two wickets in his kitty. Dismisses Kushal Bhurtel and skipper Rohit Paudel. Nepal at 10/2. 

All thanks to massive and thundrous batting from skipper Babar Azam (151) and Iftikhar Ahmed (109*), Pakistan has set a massive target of 343 runs for Nepal to chase in 50 overs.

Though Babar was dismissed on the 49.4 over by Sompal Kami, he did his part, setting the tune for the Asia Cup 2023.

Now Iftikhar (101) completes his maiden ODI century. Pakistan is at 331/4 in 49 overs.

Skipper Babar Azam (150) is on a hitting row and completed his 150 runs is style. Along with this Pakistan breached the 300-runs mark, all thanks to the explosive innings of Iftikhar Ahmed (87). Pakistan is at 311/4 in 48 overs.

Both Babar and Iftikhar are showing no interest in setting the Nepal bowlers to rest. Both the players are hitting the ballers and driving the balls to boundaries. Pakistan is at 275/4 in 45 overs.

Iftikhar shows no mercy to Nepal bowling attack post compleing his half century. Pakistan is at 255/4 in 44 overs.

With Iftikhar Ahmed (51) on his side, skipper Babar Azam (102) showed no mercy and completed his century. This is his 19th century. Pakistan is at 228/4 in 42 overs.

 Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (89) is on a hitting row and close to century. With Iftikhar Ahmed (26) on his side, he is showing no mercy to Nepal bowling attack. Pakistan scored 190/4 in 36 overs.

Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: SIX! Iftikhar with the first maximum of the match

With skipper Babar Azam (69) in form and momentum, Pakistan managed to reach 150-plus in 32 overs and is at 152/4. 

After hitting his half century, skipper Babar Azam is pacing the runrate for Pakistan, as team scored 143/4 in 31 overs.

Despite facing challeges to keep the momemtum going after losing the openers, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam (56*) has scored half century. This is his third fifty in last three innings. Pakistan at 133/4 in 29 overs.

Pakistan loses its 4th wicket as Agha Salman (5) taken by Nepal's Sandeep Lamichhane. Iftikhar Ahmed* walks in to the pitch as Pakistani skipper Babar Azam is on his way to hit half century. Pakistan at 124/4 in 28 overs.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is close to his half century as he scored 45 in 64 balls. Pakistan at 116/3 in 25 overs. 

A direct hit from Lamichhane and Rizwan gets RUN OUT. Rizwan scored 44 runs in 50 balls. Agha Salman enter the pitch. Pakistan at 112/3 in 24 overs.

Both skipper Babar and hitter Rizwan kept their mind cool after Pakistan lost early wickets and helped the team cross hundred runs mark in 22 overs. Currently, Pakistan is at 102/2 in 22 overs. 

Drinks called, Pakistan at 65/2 in 14 overs

Despite a good start in the home ground at Multan, Pakistan lost both its openers. Now, Babar and Rizwan are looking to rebuild Pakistan, as the team scored 49/2 in 11 overs.

With Babar and Rizwan on the pitch, runs keep rolling for Pakistan, as the team scored 44 runs in 10 overs after losing 2 wickets. 

After losing back to back wickets, both Babar and Rizwan are trying to stablise the inning. Pakistan is at 31/2 in 8 overs.

A direct hit by Nepal's Sompal Kami and Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq walks back to the pavilion. Pakistan loses second wicket. Mohammad Rizwan walks in to the pitch. Pakistan at 29/2 in 7 overs.

Nepal's Karan KC takes the first wicket for his country as he departs Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam enters the pitch. Pakistan at 25/0 in 6 overs.

Iman opens his bat, hits first boundary. Pakistan at 21/0 in 5 overs. 

Fakhar Zaman* 14

Imam-ul-Haq* 5

Third boundary for Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan scored 16 runs is 4 overs.

Fakhar Zaman* 14

Imam-ul-Haq* 1

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq give stable beginning for Pakistan. The team scored 11 runs is 2 overs.

Smooth start for Pakistan as the team score 9/0 in first over. Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman hit consecutive boundaries in first two balls of Sompal Kami.

The opening match of the Asia Cup 2023 begins. Pakistani openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq at pitch. Sompal Kami open the bowling attack for Nepal. 

With just few minutes left for the match to begin, Pakistani singer Aima Baig sets stage with her performance.

Trishala Gurung, a singer from Nepal, comes on for a rendition of Yo Maan ahead of the match.

Nepal XI: 1. Kushal Bhurtel, 2. Aasif Sheikh (wk), 3. Rohit Paudel (capt), 4. Aarif Sheikh, 5. Kushal Malla, 6. Dipendra Singh Airee, 7. Gulsan Jha, 8. Sompal Kami, 9. Karan KC, 10. Sandeep Lamichhane, 11. Lalit Rajbanshi

Pakistan XI: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Babar Azam (capt), 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Agha Salman, 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10. Naseem Shah, 11. Haris Rauf

Pakistan's skipper won the toss and elected to bat first. 

Group A comprises Pakistan, Nepal and India. Led by Babar Azam, the Pakistani team is set to face India in their upcoming match scheduled for September 2 in Kandy. The second group includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Historical statistics indicate that both spinners and pacers have maintained comparable averages at Multan Cricket Stadium. The last One Day International (ODI) held here dates back to 2022 when the West Indies was the opposing team. During that match, the prominent wicket-takers were Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Akeal Hossein.

Nepal secured a spot in the continental championship following an impressive performance during the inaugural ACC Men's Premier Cup earlier in 2023. Their victory in the final against the UAE not only clinched them the tournament title but also earned them the qualification for the upcoming competition.

Babar Azam, the current top-ranked ODI batter and captain of Pakistan, has showcased remarkable form in 2023. Across 11 ODIs, he has impressively recorded six half-centuries alongside a century.

A pivotal figure for Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane has emerged as a standout performer. Since 2021, he has outshone every other global bowler in wicket-taking, claiming a total of 88 dismissals.

There is no chance of rain in Multain today, as per Weather.com. The temperature is expected to go as high as 39 degrees.