Pakistan will take on Nepal in the first match of Aisa Cup 2023 on Wednesday (August 30). Four matches will be played in Pakistan, and nine matches will be played in Sri Lanka. Barring India, the rest of the five teams will play games in Pakistan. This will also be the first time Nepal will be participating in the Continental Cup.
Pakistan warmed for the Asia Cup by beating Afghanistan 3-0 in the ODI series. Big players like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan stepped up and won some close matches. However, middle-order problems still persist for Pakistan. During Asia Cup, Babar Azam would be keen to solve that puzzle.
Also Read:
- India Asia Cup 2023 squad announced
- Asia Cup Tickets: How and Where to Book?
- Check Asia Cup 2023 Full Schedule
PAK vs NEP Dream11: Middle-order in focus as Pakistan aim to start Asia Cup with a win against Nepal
Like India, Pakistan also have a problem after number four. Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed have been tried at that role, but as witnessed during the Afghanistan series none of the above-mentioned batters looked promising though, as Pakistan struggled against the quality spin bowling of Aghan bowlers. Saud Shakeel is added in the Asia Cup squad, and Pakistan would be hoping the right-hand batter translates his Test success in ODIs as well.
Bowling is looking as menacing as ever for Pakistan, with Shaheen, Rauf, Naseem, and Shadab amongst it. Nepal batters would have their task cut out to see off the new ball pair of Shaheen and Naseem.
Match Details
Match: PAK vs NEP, match 1, Asia Cup
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 30, 3:00 PM
Venue: Multan
Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar
PAK vs NEP: Pitch Report
The match will be played in Multan. The pitch here is pretty sportive aiding, batters and pacers, with equal measure. 250 is the par score on this ground.
PAK vs NEP: Top Fantasy Picks
Captain: Shaheen Afridi
Vice-captain: Babar Azam
Wicketkeeper: Mohammed Rizwan
Batters: Rohit Paudel, Fakhar Zaman, Aasif Sheikh
All-rounders: Dipendra Singh, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Karn KC, Haris Rauf, Nazwaz
PAK vs NEP: Probable Playing XIs
Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
NEP: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
