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Match Details
Date : August 30, 2023
Time : 3:00 PM IST
Venue : Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Live Ball-By-Ball Commentary : SportsTiger App
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023 scores here
Preview
Pakistan will open their Asia Cup 2023 with a Group A match against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on August 30. The Men in Green are coming to this continental cricket tournament on the back of a 3-0 ODI series win against their neighbours Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Nepal, one of the rising nations in cricket, have their task cut out against a formidable opening on their home patch. On paper, Pakistan vs. Nepal is a mismatch, but cricket is a funny game where you can never be sure about the outcome before a contest is over.
Pitch Report
The pitches at the Multan Cricket Stadium are known to be very good for batting, with value for strokes on a fast outfield. The average first-innings score at this venue in Multan is 255, something which the Pakistan cricket team will look to eclipse when they play against Nepal in their upcoming encounter.
Team Analysis
Pakistan
Pakistan are very high on confidence going into Asia Cup 2023, after consistent performances at the ODI level for the past few years. The nucleus of the team is built around their captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, with the rest of the players complimenting them very well. With that, the Men in Green are expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming Asia Cup.
SportsTiger Playing XI of Pakistan
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Nepal
Nepal reaching the Asia Cup 2023 showcases how they have become a rising force in the sport in recent years. After gaining ODI status in 2018, they sealed a spot for themselves in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, to make their presence known to the cricketing world. The captain Rohit Paudel and Sandeep Lamichhane are the key players for the Nepal cricket team, on whom they will be heavily reliant to deliver big performances in the continental cricket tournament.
SportsTiger Playing XI of Nepal
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
Match Prediction
Conclusion
Pakistan will walk into the first match of the Asia Cup 2023 as favourites, but they can’t afford to take Nepal lightly at any stage, on their way to bigger matches in the tournament.
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