Multan Cricket Stadium Pitch Report: The opening match of the 2023 Asia Cup is set to happen between Pakistan and Nepal on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium. This will mark the first official meeting between the two teams in international cricket. Pakistan recently secured an impressive victory in the ODI series against a resurgent Afghanistan team in Sri Lanka. This has provided them with valuable match practice before the important tournament. On the flip side, Nepal showed determination in the World Cup Qualifiers held in Zimbabwe, but they faced several defeats. As we prepare for the upcoming Pakistan vs Nepal clash, let’s take a look at the comprehensive pitch report for the Multan Cricket Stadium.
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Multan Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium has garnered a reputation for hosting high-scoring contests, often favoring the team that chooses to bat first and assert dominance. With its dry nature, the wicket tends to offer minimal assistance to bowlers, thereby challenging their skills. However, the spinners find their moment to shine as the game progresses, particularly in the latter part when the ball’s condition deteriorates.
Historical data from the venue reflects an average first innings score of 255. Hence, winning the toss becomes a strategic advantage, as opting to bat first seems the preferred route due to the pitch’s tendency to pose greater challenges for batting in the later stages of the match. Captains will likely consider this trend when making their decision at the toss, aiming to gain an upper hand right from the outset.
Match details
| Match | Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023, 1st ODI |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, August 30 & 3 PM |
| Venue | Multan Cricket Stadium |
| Live Broadcast & Streaming | Star Sports, DD Sports & Hotstar |
Probable Playing XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Nepal: Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bhim Sharki, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha, Pratis GC
