“Shattered Dreams: Nepal’s Misfortune Spurs Pakistan’s Opportunity in Rare Encounter”

Preview: Nepal have a party to spoil as Pakistan look to make the most of rare home game

In what promises to be a scorching hot match in Multan, Pakistan will take on Nepal in the opening game of the Asia Cup. While Pakistan is considered the clear favorites, Nepal, who are rising in the cricketing world, have the potential to deliver a few blows. This match marks Nepal‘s debut in the Asia Cup and their first encounter with Pakistan in any format, making it a momentous occasion for the Nepalese cricket team.

Nepal‘s inclusion in this tournament is a testament to their recent success as a cricketing force. They earned their spot in the Asia Cup by winning the ten-team ACC Men’s Premier Cup, defeating teams like the UAE and Hong Kong. Additionally, they secured their place in the ODI World Cup qualifier by winning 11 out of 12 ODIs, elevating them to a commendable 15th rank in the ODI format. The fact that the next ODI World Cup in 2027 will feature only 14 teams highlights Nepal‘s potential for even greater achievements.

On the other hand, Pakistan, as the technical hosts of the tournament, will be playing one of their two rare home games. This scarcity of home games adds significance to this match for the Pakistani fans, and they will surely want to witness the skills of their cricketing heroes, even in scorching temperatures that are expected to reach a maximum of 38 degrees Celsius.

In the Spotlight: Agha Salman and Dipendra Singh Airee

Pakistan‘s recent success in developing their ODI middle order can be attributed to Agha Salman’s contributions. With an average of over 40 and a strike rate above 100, Salman has been in excellent form. He played a crucial role in Pakistan‘s home ODI series against New Zealand and showcased his skills with impressive Test knocks against Sri Lanka. Ending the series against Afghanistan with an unbeaten 38, Salman brings momentum to the Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, Nepal‘s Dipendra Singh Airee enters the tournament with confidence. Coming off an unbeaten 79 in the World Cup qualifier against the UAE, Airee demonstrated his abilities during the Global T20 Canada tournament, where he played alongside renowned players like Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Lynn. With his previous performances, Airee provides Nepal with a reliable middle-order option.

Team News

Pakistan announced their playing XI, comprising three fast bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf – as well as two spin-bowling allrounders – Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz – who will be accompanied by Agha Salman’s offspin. However, this lineup means that Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim, who performed impressively during the Emerging Cup against Nepal in July, were left out.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami returns to the team after a hand injury cut short his participation in the World Cup qualifier. Kami will lead Nepal‘s pace attack alongside Karan KC.

Pitch and Conditions

Multan, the venue for the match, hosted all three ODIs during West Indies’ tour of Pakistan last year. In those matches, scores exceeding 250 were achieved in the first innings, with Pakistan successfully chasing down 306 in the first ODI. Spinners such as Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Akeal Hosein were the top wicket-takers during that series, indicating that spin will likely play a crucial role again if similar conditions prevail. The weather forecast predicts hot and dry conditions, with temperatures soaring in the high 30s Celsius.

Stats and Trivia

• Nepal has played only three ODIs against Full-Member teams, with one match each against Ireland, West Indies, and Zimbabwe, all during this year’s World Cup qualifier.
• Babar Azam has scored 18 ODI centuries in 101 innings, ranking second to Saeed Anwar on the all-time centuries list for Pakistan.
• In the current World Cup cycle, Nepal has played more ODIs (51) than Pakistan (31), with only Afghanistan (27), Canada (5), and Jersey (5) playing fewer matches.

This encounter between Pakistan and Nepal in the Asia Cup provides an opportunity for Nepal to make a mark and showcase their rising talent. While Pakistan is undoubtedly the stronger team, Nepal‘s recent achievements and improved rankings suggest that they should not be underestimated.