Nepal Suffers Defeat by 238 Runs Against Host Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Opener

In a challenging battle at the inaugural match of the Asia Cup cricket tournament 2023 organized by the Asian Cricket Council, Nepal faced a daunting target of 343 runs set by Pakistan. However, Nepal’s pursuit ended in disappointment as they were defeated by a massive margin of 238 runs against the host nation.

Nepal’s batting lineup struggled to find its footing, collapsing at just 104 runs in 23.4 overs. The team’s early struggle was compounded by losing two wickets in the very first over and another in the second over, putting them on the back foot right from the start. Arif Sheikh and Sompal Kami displayed patience in their innings, contributing 26 and 28 runs respectively, but their efforts fell short. Notably, Gulshan Jha was the sole other player to reach double figures.

Pakistan’s bowling attack proved too much for Nepal, with Sadab Khan leading the way by taking 4 wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf also made significant contributions, claiming 2 wickets each and adding to Nepal’s batting woes.

In the first innings, Pakistan had set a formidable total of 342 runs in 50 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Pakistani captain Babar Azam was the standout performer, amassing an impressive 151 runs off 131 balls. Iftikar Ahmed’s explosive innings of 109 runs from just 71 balls added to Nepal’s challenge of achieving an improbable victory.

Despite an initially promising start in the bowling department, where Nepal managed to take down 4 Pakistani wickets by the 28th over, the tide turned as a monumental 200-run partnership between Babar Azam and Iftikar Ahmed developed in just 125 balls. This partnership shifted the momentum firmly in Pakistan’s favor, ultimately setting an insurmountable target for Nepal.

Nepal’s bowlers, including Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Sandeep Lamichhane, fought hard to make breakthroughs, claiming a combined 3 wickets. However, they struggled to contain the Pakistani batsmen’s onslaught in the latter half of the innings.

Nepal’s next challenge will be against India in a match scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka on September 4. The team is placed in Group A, alongside Pakistan and India, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. As Nepal looks ahead to its next encounter, the team will be aiming to bounce back from this initial setback and showcase their resilience on the international stage.