KATHMANDU: With the excellent partnership of captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan set a huge target of 343 runs against Nepal in the opening match of the Asia Cup Cricket.
Nepali bowlers kept the home team under pressure after winning the toss and choosing to bat at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
After scoring 21 runs, Karan KC showed Fakhar Zaman the way to the pavilion. After adding four more runs, another opener Imam Ulhaq was run out. Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel scored a direct hit.
Captain Babar Azam handled the innings. He shared an 86-run partnership with Mohammad Riwaz. He was run out by Dipendra Singh Airi. After adding 23 more runs, Agha Salman was also dismissed. Sandeep Lamichhane caught him at the hands of Kushal Bhurtel.
But captain Babar teamed up with Iftikhar Ahmed to take Pakistan to a huge total. Both shared 214 runs for the fifth wicket.
Azam, who scored his 19th career century in 41.2 overs, completed 150 runs in 47.6 overs. Before playing the last ball of the next over, Iftikhar also completed his first career century.
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