In the inaugural match of the 2023 Asia Cup held in Multan, Pakistan showcased their supremacy by securing an impressive 238-run triumph over Nepal. The tournament’s return to Pakistan after a 15-year hiatus was marked by a commanding performance from the home team, despite encountering a few minor challenges along the way.

The standout moment of the evening belonged to the remarkable partnership between captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, as they amassed a record-breaking 214-run stand for the fifth wicket. Babar’s extraordinary display saw him score 151 runs off 131 balls, achieving his 19th ODI century, while Iftikhar celebrated his maiden ton

Guided by the exceptional performances of Babar and Iftikhar, Pakistan’s innings culminated at 342-6. The bowlers followed suit with an outstanding effort, dismantling Nepal’s lineup for a mere 104 runs.

Post-match, during an interaction with the media, a journalist playfully addressed Iftikhar Ahmed as “chacha” (uncle), a nickname fondly used by teammates and fans. The journalist humorously referred to Babar Azam as Iftikhar’s “bhatija” (nephew) in the conversation, evoking a humorous reaction from Iftikhar.

Iftikhar responded with a smile, “Bhatija also gave confidence to chacha and chacha also gave confidence to bhatija. Babar is a world-class player. The way he handles strike rotation alleviates pressure. Consequently, we relished our time batting together,” sharing his thoughts from the press box in Multan.

This resounding victory over Nepal sets the s༺tage for Pakistan, who recently ascended to the top position in the ODI rankings. The win serves as an ideal warm-up as they prepare for a high-profile encounter against arch-rivals India in Pallekele on Saturday.