The encounter took place at Multan Cricket Stadium on a Wednesday evening.

Nepal faced the daunting task of chasing a colossal target of 343 runs for an improbable victory. However, their pursuit crumbled as they were dismissed for a mere 104 runs. Only three batsmen managed to reach double-digit scores, highlighting Pakistan’s overwhelming dominance.

In the opening clash of Asia Cup 2023 at Multan Cricket Stadium, Pakistan set a formidable total of 342/6. Opting to bat first after winning the toss on a placid pitch, the Pakistani team faced early setbacks, losing both openers during the initial powerplay. Amidst the pressure, skipper Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan formed a resilient partnership of 86 runs.

Despite the loss of two quick wickets, Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed stepped up to the challenge. Their remarkable partnership of 224 runs saw both batsmen achieving the milestone of scoring centuries. Babar Azam’s century marked his 19th in 102 innings. He departed in the final over of the innings. Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten with a maiden century of 109 runs from 66 deliveries. Shadab Khan, on the other hand, was dismissed on the last ball of the innings after contributing a solitary boundary.

Making their debut in the continental tournament, Nepal faced the daunting task of chasing down 343 runs to create an upset in the Asia Cup opener.

The match marked several firsts, as both Nepal and the venue, Multan, debuted in the tournament. This contest also marked the first-ever encounter between Pakistan and Nepal at the top level. The picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium set the stage for an electrifying clash, promising an atmosphere filled with excitement. Both teams enjoyed tremendous support from passionate cricket fans in Multan. The match was preceded by an engaging opening ceremony and commenced at 1430 PKT time.

Pakistan entered the Asia Cup with a surge of momentum. Following a 3-0 whitewash over Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, the team claimed the top spot in the ICC ODI team rankings. With a remarkable win/loss ratio of 2.750, backed by 22 wins in 31 matches in this World Cup cycle, Pakistan’s performance across formats remained strong.