Asia Cup, 2023: Pakistan vs Nepal, Preview

Asia Cup, 2023: Pakistan vs Nepal, Preview The inaugural match of the Asia Cup is going to start between the host, Pakistan, and Nepal at Multan. Nepal is playing in the Asia Cup for the first time and this time it is being played in 50 over format. On the other hand, Pakistan has won the Asia Cup twice. However, Pakistan has a strong squad but they have failed to win the match at higher level. In the previous edition, they lost the final against Sri Lanka. They have defeated Afghanistan by 3-0 in their recent series and it helped them to focus on their weakness. 

 

Nepal is a new team but has shown a fighting spirit by winning their 2 out of 5 matches. Nepal gained the ODI status in 2018 and it took 5 years for them to reach this level. They have a balanced team but are inexperienced. The Asia Cup will offer them a great platform for showcasing their talents against the quality side. Aasif Sheikh has been great for them in the batting, as he has scored 673 runs in 25 ODIs with an average of 30.59. In the bowling department, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, and Karan KC have done very well.

 

Pakistan has a great batting and bowling unit. However, they are highly dependent on top order. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-Ul-Haq have a responsibility to give the great start and Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed need to move forward the innings. In the bowling department, they have world class bowlers, such as Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah. 

 

Date & Time: Aug 30, 02:30 PM LOCAL, 3:00 PM IST

 

Venue :Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan 

 

Pitch Report: At this surface, spinners might get some assistance but this will be a batting friendly pitch. A batting first team might have an edge. 

 

Squads Nepal Squad: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Pratis GC, Arjun Saud, Mousom Dhakal, Kishore Mahato, Aarif Sheikh 

 

Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Tayyab Tahir, Abdullah Shafique, Usama Mir

 

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