Asia Cup 2023, Match 1: Pakistan vs Nepal Preview

This is the first time that Nepal will play against Pakistan in any format of the game.

Published - 29 Aug 2023, 15:00 IST | Updated - 29 Aug 2023, 15:35 IST

3 Min Read

Despite having a really strong unit, Pakistan failed to clinch the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2022. On both occasions, the Men in Green qualified for the finals but, unfortunately, failed to cross the line. Will 2023 be their year? That’s the hot topic in the cricketing circuit.

After defeating Afghanistan 3-0 in the recently concluded ODI series, the Babar Azam-led side has become the number-one ranked team in the world. However, they are yet to cement their legacy with a trophy to showcase. Nepal, on the contrary, have been in decent form, having won 2 out of their last 5 ODIs.

Hence, the upcoming three months will be extremely vital for Pakistan. In their first match of the Asia Cup 2023, they will challenge Nepal, a team that qualified for the first time in their cricketing history. Hence, the home team will start as favourites, but they have bottled against weaker opponents in the past. In the T20 World Cup 2022, Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe and hence, their qualification was under threat. Thus, the team will not take them lightly, especially when their next game is against their arch-rivals India.

Nepal, on the other hand, are living their fairytale. In 2018, they were handed the ODI status, and in just five years, they have qualified for the Continental Cup. Meanwhile, the team will depend greatly on skipper Rohit Paudel and spinner Sandeep Lamichhane in their opening match. The latter has played a lot of franchise cricket and understands the pressure, which can come in handy. They haven’t played very good cricket in recent times, and hence, the team will aim to improve and put up a good show in their Asia Cup debut.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be much more relaxed as the likes of Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan are in good form with the bat while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf looked threatening against Afghanistan. Playing on their home turf, with fans cheering for them, the Men in Green will definitely enjoy their opening game, as they are hosting a major tournament for the first time in many years.

Pitch and conditions:

Spinners are likely to get some assistance from the surface. Batting first will be ideal, but Nepal might bowl first, as that is their primary strength at the moment. Anything over 260 runs will be good in Multan.

Probable Playing XI For PAK vs NEP:

Pakistan

Fakhar Zaman’s form is a matter of concern at the moment, but the opener is likely to retain his spot. When it comes to bowling, either Mohammad Nawaz or Mohammad Wasim might play as the skipper might take a call on the Match Day. Other than that, they are likely to retain the same squad that played against Afghanistan.

Probable Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz / Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Nepal

Other than the skipper and Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee is going to be extremely vital for the team. Sompal Kami, too will be making his return to the squad.

Probable Playing XI: 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