• Match: 5th Match, IND vs NEP
• Date: 4 Sep 2023
• Time: 03:00 PM IST
• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy

Nepal’s Tough Start
Nepal kicked off their Asia Cup journey with a challenging encounter against Pakistan in Multan. Unfortunately, they faced a one-sided contest, as Pakistan posted a formidable total of 342 runs. Nepal struggled in response, managing only 104 runs, with none of their batsmen able to surpass the 30-run mark.

India’s First Outing
In their opening match against Pakistan, India took to the crease first and amassed a competitive total of 266 runs. Notable performances came from Ishan Kishan, who scored 82, and Hardik Pandya, who contributed 87 runs to the total. However, the match ended without a result due to inclement weather, leaving both teams without a win.

Super 4 Aspirations
The outcome of this match carries significant weight, as the victorious side will secure a coveted spot in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup. India will be determined to secure their first victory in the tournament, while Nepal aims to provide stiff competition to the formidable Indian squad. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an engaging encounter between these two sides on Monday.

In the realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, India has assembled a blend of experienced and emerging talents. Their batting order features formidable power-hitters, significantly bolstering their prospects for success in today’s match. Here’s the expected outcome for the 5th Match:

India is poised with a 70% probability of clinching victory in this contest.
Conversely, Nepal holds a 30% chance to secure a win in this match.

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is renowned for its batsman-friendly pitch, and it is expected to offer favorable conditions for batsmen once again. During the latter part of the game, fast bowlers may find some support from the surface, while spinners are likely to play a crucial role in the middle overs.

India vs. Pakistan: A Rain-Soaked Encounter

In their last showdown against Pakistan, India won the toss and chose to bat. While India’s innings got off to a promising start, it was disrupted by rain. Pakistan capitalized on the break by swiftly capturing three vital wickets, including those of Rohit, Kohli, and Iyer. Although Gill fell to Rauf, the pair of Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya not only stabilized the innings but also put India in a commanding position. India concluded their innings with a total of 266 runs. Unfortunately, the second innings couldn’t commence due to persistent rain, resulting in a frustrating no-result outcome.

Nepal vs. Pakistan: A Dominant Display by Pakistan

Nepal’s most recent encounter was against Pakistan, where Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Despite losing their opening batsmen early, Pakistan seized the opportunity to amass a substantial total. Babar, Rizwan, and Iftikhar pummeled every bowler that stood in their way as Pakistan finished with a formidable 342 runs on the scoreboard. Nepal faced an uphill battle in their chase, consistently losing wickets and ultimately being bowled out for a meager 104 runs. Pakistan delivered a resounding statement with a commanding 238-run victory, setting the tone in the first match of the Asia Cup.

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, S Iyer, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shardul Thakur, JJ Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, KL Yadav

Nepal: Aarif Sheikh, K Bhurtel, Rohit Kumar Paudel (C), Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Asif Sheikh (WK), Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane