Babar Azam was all fired up within the Asia Cup 2023 opener in opposition to Nepal in Multan on Wednesday. While he started on a gradual be aware, he battled cramps and grew regularly in confidence, the end result was a 131-ball 151, consisting 4 sixes and 14 fours. Babar Azam (151) and Iftikhar Ahmed’s (109 not out) centuries fired Pakistan to an enormous 342 for six. This was after Pakistan made an unimpressive begin to their innings as they misplaced each the openers early.
While Fakhar Zaman (14) confirmed intent initially, he failed to hold on as he was brilliantly caught by a diving Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh off the bowling of Karan KC within the sixth over.
Pakistan suffered yet one more blow quickly when Imam-ul-Haq was discovered wanting the crease whereas making an attempt a single that was not for the taking. A direct throw from Nepal captain Rohit Paudel ended his innings. Babar was then joined on the crease by wicket-keeper batter Rizwan and the duo stabilised Pakistan’s innings.
While Babar performed the function of an anchor, Rizwan confirmed his attacking instincts throughout the 86-run stand for the third wicket which got here off 111 balls.
But the beginning of their partnership was removed from rosy because the duo struggled to maintain the scoreboard ticking initially with Pakistan reaching 50 within the twelfth over.
The Pakistani duo saved the scoreboard ticking with ones and two thereafter and hit the unhealthy balls to the boundary to carry up the staff’s 100 within the twenty second over.
Just when he was wanting threatening, Rizwan fell to a direct hit on the non-striker’s finish by Dipendra Singh Airee seeking a fast single. Rizwan paid the value for not grounding his bat, one thing not acceptable on the highest degree.
While Babar saved one finish regular, Salman Agha (5) failed to bother the scorers a lot, falling prey to Sandeep Lamichhane.
Babar introduced up his fifty with a double within the twenty ninth over.
But Iftikhar’s arrival gave the much-needed increase to Pakistan’s innings as he performed aggressively from the onset.
Iftikhar’s method appeared to have impressed Babar in addition to he too opened up his arms thereafter and located the boundaries at will.
Babar introduced up his ton off 109 balls within the forty second over.
The duo, particularly Iftikhar, toyed with the Nepalese bowlers because it rained fours and sixes at will from there on. Iftikhar introduced up his maiden ton off simply 67 balls.
Babar Azam’s 151 is the best rating by a captain in Asia Cup. Babar Azam can also be the quickest to attain 19 centuries – which is a world file. He reached the mark in 102 innings, whereas Hashim Amla had reached the mark in 104 innings. Virat Kohli is the third quickest to the mark in 124 innings.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed 214-run stand is the third highest partnership for any wicket in Asia Cup.
“Babar is a great player, World No. 1 player. It’s an awesome feeling to bat with him. He rotates strike very well and we discussed about scoring a boundary when we get a loose ball. The wicket got better to bat on as the innings progressed,” Iftikhar Ahmed mentioned after the knock.
With PTI inputs
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Source web site: sports activities.ndtv.com
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