PAK vs NEP Live Score: Asia Cup 2023 is all set to kick-start with Pakistan facing Nepal in the opening clash of the tournament on Wednesday which will be played at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. In the ODI series played in Sri Lanka, Pakistan emerged victorious over Afghanistan by defeating them by a 3-0 score. With this glorious triumph, Pakistan became the No 1 ODI team in the ICC Rankings. They will hope to carry the same momentum in the Asia Cup 2023. On the other hand, Nepal failed to make an impression in the recently concluded ICC World Cup Qualifier 2023 by winning just one fixture out of four matches being played. They will hope to bounce back & make a blasting start to the Asia Cup 2023 by winning the opening fixture against Pakistan.
Teams Preview
Pakistan Preview
Pakistan will be brimming with confidence after a glorious triumph over the Afghans. They will take ahead the positives of their recent triumph into the Asia Cup 2023. In the batting order, the onus will be on the likes of Babar Azam, openers Fakhar Zaman, and Imam-Ul-Haq, and the middle-order trio of Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, and Iftikhar Ahmed to deliver the bulk of the runs.
In the previous series, openers Imam-Ul-Haq & Babar Azam displayed a lack of consistency with the bat. They will aim to improve their stance in the marquee event ahead. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman will hope to get back to form after not scoring runs against Afghanistan.
In the bowling order, the team will rely on the services of pace trio Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf to make early inroads with the new ball. While the spin department will be handled by Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan.
Nepal Preview
Coming to Nepal, the team will try their best to give tough competition to the No. 1 ODI team by displaying their best performance. The batting order will be dependent on the services of Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, and Kushal Malla to deliver the bulk of the runs.
Their key batter Aasif Sheikh has topped the batting charts for Nepal in limited overs format since August 2022. In 25 ODis he has amassed 673 runs at an average of 30.59 with one century and five half-centuries to his name.
In the bowling order, the team will be dependent on the likes of Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Dipendra Singh Airee to deliver timely breakthroughs. Since August 2022, Lamichhane has topped their bowling charts for Nepal in ODIs. In 19 ODIs, Lamichhane has taken 42 wickets at an average of 20.00.
PAK vs NEP Match Details
Match: Pakistan vs Nepal, Match 1- Asia Cup 2023
Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 30, 3:00 pm (IST)
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar
PAK vs NEP: Predicted Playing XIs
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Agha Salman, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah.
Nepal Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Paudel (captain), Arjun Saud, Kushal Malla, Kushal Bhurtel, Gyanendra Malla, Bhim Sarki, Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Sompal Kami.
Pitch Conditions
The wicket at Multan Cricket Stadium is batters friendly providing some assistance to the bowlers. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Wednesday is going to be sunny with a moderate breeze. Looking at the nature of the pitch & weather conditions, the team winning the toss will opt to post a competitive total on board.
PAK vs NEP: Winning prediction
Looking at the form of both the team players & their recent performances, Pakistan looks favorite to win the opening clash. With power-hitters in Pakistan’s lineup expect an enthralling fixture between Pakistan & Nepal.
We Predict Pakistan to win this fixture.
Also read, Asia Cup 2023 Format, Groups, Squads & Live Streaming
