Gather round, cricket enthusiasts, because it’s time for the cricket showdown of the year – the 2023 Asia Cup! And boy, is it going to be a nail-biter! This year, Asia’s grandest cricket spectacle will take place in a 50-over format, gearing up for the ICC World Cup later this year. And kicking off the action, we have the mighty Pakistan, two-time Asian champions and co-hosts, going head to head with the tenacious team from Nepal, making their debut in the tournament. The historic Multan Cricket Stadium is all decked up to host this inaugural clash, the only fixture of the edition scheduled here.
Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. Pakistan has made a lone change in their squad, bringing in the batting all-rounder Saud Shakeel to replace Tayyab Tahir, who, despite not playing a single game in the Afghanistan series, will travel with the main squad as a reserve player. The team rested some key players for the third ODI against Afghanistan, but they are all expected to return to the playing XI, gearing up for the much-anticipated Indo-Pak clash.
Meanwhile, in the Nepal camp, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, despite his ongoing rape trial, has been given the green light to join the squad, boosting the team’s preparations with his global acclaim as a spinner. Also expected to make a comeback are the bowling trio of Karan KC, Sompal Kami, and Lalit Rajbanshi, who were left out of the last Emerging Asia Cup game.
Now, a little flashback. Pakistan started their ODI cricket season with a thumping 4-1 series win against New Zealand at home. They then traveled to Sri Lanka and trounced Afghanistan 3-0 in Hambantota, propelling them to the top of the ICC rankings as the highest-ranked ODI side.
On the other side, Nepal secured their spot in the Asia Cup by winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, defeating the UAE in the finals and claiming the title with an unbeaten record. They then participated in the ACC Emerging Asia Cup and clinched a memorable 3-wicket victory against the Arab Eagles.
Now, for some head-to-head stats. Nepal, who earned their ODI status as an associate member of the ICC in 2018, have never faced Pakistan on the international stage, making this clash their first official encounter. However, there was a Tour Match in Abu Dhabi back in 2015 when Pakistan thrashed Nepal by 121 runs, thanks to captain Azhar Ali’s solid 73-run knock. Interestingly, the current Pakistani skipper, Babar Azam, also played a scintillating knock of 43 not out off 29 balls in that match, with a strike rate of 148.
Key Players to Watch Out For:
Babar Azam: The Pakistani skipper, currently 28, has been instrumental in Pakistan’s rise in the 50-over format, being the third-highest run-getter in the recent Afghanistan series, scoring 113 runs from 3 innings, including two half-centuries. His form will be pivotal for Pakistan’s batting unit.
Image Source – HindustanTimes
Kushal Bhurtel: The 26-year-old all-rounder is a bright prospect for Nepal and is expected to fill the void left by Paras Khadka. In his most recent outing, Bhurtel took six wickets and played a crucial role in restricting the UAE to 157 in the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. He then opened the innings and anchored the run chase, despite the lack of support from the other end.
Image Source – TheKathmanduPost
Predicted Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Saud (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Gulsan Jha, Pawan Sarraf, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami
Prediction:
While Pakistan, with their home advantage, current form, and superior on-paper strength, are the clear favorites, they might use this opportunity to experiment and assess their strengths and weaknesses before the later stages of the tournament. However, the young and spirited Nepalese side, led by Rohit Paudel, will surely give it their all to pull off a stunning upset against the top-ranked ODI team. It’s going to be a cracker of a match, so don’t miss it!
