Asia Cup 2023: Babar, Iftikhar hit centuries as Pakistan set Nepal to chase 343
Babar Azam scored a classy 151, while Iftikhar Ahmed wreaked havoc on Nepal bowlers with an unbeaten 109.


Multan: Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed’s tons powered Pakistan to an enormous 342 runs against Nepal in the first match of the ongoing ACC Men’s Asia Cup on Wednesday.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has won the toss and elected to bat in the opening game of the Asia Cup against first-timer Nepal.
Both teams are placed in Group A alongside India, with the top two sides qualifying for the Super 4 stage.
Babar Azam scored a classy 151, while Iftikhar Ahmed wreaked havoc on Nepal bowlers with an unbeaten 109.
The hosts Pakistan had a shaky start after winning the toss with both opening batters back to the pavilion inside seven overs with only 25 runs on board.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then helped rebuild the innings as they added 86 runs for the third wicket before Mohammad Rizwan perished courtesy of a direct hit. He scored 44 runs off 50 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
Agha Salman also followed him after adding only five runs to the total, leaving Pakistan at 124-4 in the 28th over.
Babar Azam was then joined by Iftikhar Ahmed on the crease, and together they exhibited a fiery batting display against Nepal bowlers.
They added 214 runs in only 131 balls for the fifth wicket, steering Pakistan to a mammoth total.
Babar Azam’s 131-ball 151 featured 14 boundaries and four sixes, whereas Iftikhar Ahmed scored 109 runs from 71 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and four sixes.
Nepal’s Sompal Kami picked up two wickets, while Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane contributed with one wicket each.

Houthis launch twin attacks on USS Harry Truman
- 3 hours ago

Gold glitters, historic high in Pakistan
- 4 hours ago
Wolf attack in Central Kurram leaves 9 injured, including child
- 4 hours ago
SpaceX aims to send robots to Mars by 2026, humans expected by 2029-2031
- 4 hours ago

UConn-Creighton ends in scuffle over 'fancy' dunk
- 4 hours ago

Trump’s attacks on higher ed could provide a chance to reimagine the university
- 5 hours ago
Weekend US tornadoes leave at least 40 dead
- 3 hours ago

PSX continues rally as KSE-100 gains 663 points amid IMF optimism
- 4 hours ago

Security meeting scheduled amid rising terror threats in Pakistan
- 4 hours ago

TTP camps destroyed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during police operation
- 4 hours ago

FM reveals no plans for salary boost or pension increase in new budget
- 5 hours ago
Five family members of SHO injured in grenade attack in Khuzdar
- an hour ago