Asia Cup: Pakistan to take on Nepal in sweltering Multan


PTI, Aug 30, 2023, 11:55 AM IST

Multan: Pakistan will begin their campaign in the Asia Cup on Wednesday taking on Nepal in the city’s sweltering heat as multi-team international cricket returns to the country after nearly 15 years.

It has been a long, rough road for Pakistan cricket ever since the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009.

Following the attack, not only did Pakistan lose the Champions Trophy hosting rights but also its share of the World Cup matches in 2011.

With the International Cricket Council (ICC) and member nations reluctant to visit the country because of security reasons, Pakistan went without an international game at home for nearly eight years against top-tier teams.

Which is why, the four matches of the Asia Cup being held in the country hold great significance for Pakistan, who have also been awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Pakistan, who recently rose to No. 1 in ODI rankings after a clean sweep of the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, should win comfortably against Nepal, who are playing their first Asia Cup.

Only two Nepal players, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and allrounder Dipendra Singh Airee, have the experience of playing in T20 leagues.

Barring Lamichhane, who has played in the Pakistan Super League, the others know very little about the playing conditions here.

Having got their ODI status in 2018, Nepal are ranked 15th in the 50-over format, a sign of how close they are to achieving their dream of featuring in the 2027 World Cup, which will be a 14-team affair.

Having arrived in Pakistan a week back, it will be interesting to see how they fare against an outfit which is one of the favourites to lift the Asia Cup.

Pakistan will play just two games at home and the remaining in Sri Lanka, including the big ones against India. But the game against Nepal will offer their players a good opportunity to fine-tune their game.

Babar Azam recently hit two half centuries against Afghanistan and only a big one will satisfy the home team fans.

With the weather expected to be hot and humid, both teams will rely heavily on their spinners to do the job.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

100 engineering colleges in Karnataka to be ‘adopted’ by corporates by next year: IT Minister Kharge

Siddaramaiah defends BPL ration card cancellation, says only ineligible beneficiaries affected

China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat

Renovated Medical Oncology OPD and Chemotherapy Day Care Centre inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Related Articles More

Mohammed Shami ridicules Sanjay Manjrekar over comments on reduced IPL value

There’s potential for disruption in India camp with Rohit coming back in Adelaide: Ponting

We are not carrying baggage from New Zealand series: Bumrah

Argentina football team, featuring Lionel Messi, to play in Kerala next year

Indian blind cricket team not to travel to Pakistan for T20 World Cup, govt denies permission

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

Saura Swasthya launched: Karnataka to power 5,000 health facilities with solar energy

India-US ties have strong foundation: White House confident in navigating crisis over Adani bribery charges

PM Modi leaves for home after concluding three-nation visit

Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.