Battle of the Titans: Pakistan vs Nepal Asia Cup 2023 Analysis

Pakistan vs Nepal Asia Cup 2023: Date, Time, Playing XI, H2H And How To Watch

Introduction

The highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 is set to kick off with Pakistan taking on Nepal in the opening match in Multan, Pakistan. This edition of the Asia Cup, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17, will revert back to the 50-overs format after being organized in the T20 version last year. Pakistan, coming off a comprehensive series victory over Afghanistan, enters the tournament as the number one ranked ODI team in the world. On the other hand, this will be Nepal‘s first-ever appearance in the Asia Cup, having qualified for the tournament by winning the 2023 ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

Head-to-Head Record

Pakistan and Nepal have never faced each other in an international match before. The Asia Cup 2023 fixture will mark their first meeting, adding excitement and anticipation to the match.

Playing XI

Pakistan has already announced their playing XI for the Asia Cup opener. The team includes captain Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. The selection of three spinners in Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Salman Agha reflects the historical favorability of the track in Multan towards spin bowling.

Nepal, on the other hand, has not yet declared their playing XI and might do so during the toss itself. Probable players include Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi.

Where to Watch

Fans can tune in to Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, and Star Sports 1 Kannada TV channels in India to catch all the live action of the Pakistan vs Nepal Asia Cup 2023 match. Additionally, the match will be live streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, and fans can watch it for free on the Disney+ Hotstar Mobile app.

Pre-Match Comments

Both teams’ captains, Babar Azam from Pakistan and Rohit Paudel from Nepal, have expressed their excitement and pride ahead of the game. Babar Azam shared his enthusiasm over the commencement of the Asia Cup and congratulated Nepal for qualifying for their first-ever appearance in the tournament. Rohit Paudel, in a tweet, expressed the pride he holds for leading his nation into the Asia Cup, emphasizing the importance of dedication, team spirit, and support.

Conclusion

As the Asia Cup 2023 gets underway, the match between Pakistan and Nepal holds significant importance for both teams. Pakistan, as the top-ranked ODI team, will seek to continue their winning momentum and make a strong statement in the tournament. On the other hand, Nepal, in their debut appearance, will look to prove themselves and showcase their talent on the international stage. It promises to be an exciting contest that will set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Fans eagerly await the clash between these two teams, curious to see how Nepal performs against the established cricketing powerhouse, Pakistan.