Introduction
The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 is set to commence on Wednesday with Pakistan taking on Nepal in the opening match in Multan, Pakistan. The Asia Cup 2023 will be hosted in a hybrid model by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. This edition of the competition will revert to a 50-overs format after being organized in the T20 version last year.
Pakistan’s Strong Start
Pakistan enters this opening fixture after a comprehensive series victory over Afghanistan which was recently held in Sri Lanka. The 3-0 clean sweep ensures that Pakistan, the ODI World Number 1 side, heads into this crucial tournament with a positive mindset.
Nepal’s First Appearance
This will be Nepal’s first-ever appearance in the Asia Cup. They qualified for the 2023 edition of this tournament by winning the 2023 ACC Men’s Premier Cup in May 2023. In the final against the UAE side, Nepal ended up winning the game convincingly by 7 wickets.
Date and Time
The Pakistan vs Nepal match of Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30. The match will start at 3:30 PM IST.
Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan and Nepal have never faced each other in an international match till now. The Asia Cup 2023 fixture will mark the first meeting between these countries.
Playing XI
A day before the start of their match against Nepal, the Pakistan side named their playing XI for the Asia Cup opener.
Pakistan XI: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
The track at Multan has historically favored the spinners more than the pacers, hence Pakistan has chosen a spin-trio of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Salman Agha.
Nepal has not yet declared their playing XI and might do so during the toss itself.
Where To Watch
Fans can tune in to Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu & Star Sports 1 Kannada TV channels in India to catch all the live action of the Pakistan vs Nepal Asia Cup 2023 match. The match will also be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, where fans can watch it for free on the Disney+ Hotstar Mobile app.
Pre-Match Statements
Prior to the start of this match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam shared his excitement over the commencement of the competition and also congratulated Nepal for their first-ever appearance in the Asia Cup tournament. He said, “It is always a great feeling to play in front of the passionate Multan crowd and we all are very excited that the Asia Cup is beginning from this city. I want to congratulate Nepal for qualifying for the Asia Cup and I hope that their participation will give a boost to the development of the sport in the country. We are looking forward to playing Nepal and I am sure it will be a good contest.”
Nepal cricket captain Rohit Paudel took to Twitter to express the pride he holds for leading the nation into their first-ever Asia Cup. He wrote, “Off to embrace challenges, chase dreams, and play with passion. Every stroke of the bat, every catch, and every moment on the field is a step closer to our goal. With dedication, team spirit, and unwavering support, we forge ahead, carrying the hopes of a team and a nation.”
Conclusion and Recommendation
The clash between Pakistan and Nepal marks the beginning of the highly-awaited Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan’s formidable ODI team, along with their strong performance against Afghanistan, puts them in a favorable position. On the other hand, Nepal’s qualifying victory in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup showcases their potential.
It will be interesting to see how Nepal, making their debut in the Asia Cup, performs against a strong side like Pakistan. As Babar Azam rightly pointed out, Nepal’s participation in this tournament can be a significant step forward for the development of cricket in the country.
Fans can expect an exciting match as both teams aim to make a strong start to the tournament. Pakistan’s spin-trio will face the challenge of Nepal’s batting lineup, led by captain Rohit Paudel. The match will not only showcase the skills and strategies of the teams but also highlight the diversity and growth of cricket in Asia.
As a recommendation, cricket enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to witness this historic clash. Whether watching on television or through live streaming platforms, the Pakistan vs Nepal match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
<< photo by Chaos Soccer Gear >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
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