Babar Azam was all excited during the Asia Cup 2023 opener against Nepal in Multan on Wednesday. While he started slowly, he battled cramps and gradually his confidence grew. The result was a 131-ball 151, consisting of four sixes and 14 fours. The centuries of Babar Azam (151) and Iftikhar Ahmed (109 not out) blasted Pakistan to a massive 342 for 6. This was after Pakistan had an unimpressive start to their innings as they lost both openers early.
Although Fakhar Zaman (14) initially showed intent, he failed to continue as he was brilliantly caught by a diving Nepalese wicket-keeper Aasif Sheikh at Karan KC’s bowling in the sixth over.
Pakistan was soon dealt another blow when Imam-ul-Haq was found close to the crease attempting a single that was not up for grabs. A direct throw from Nepalese captain Rohit Paudel ended his innings. Babar was then joined at the crease by wicket-keeper-batter Rizwan and the duo stabilized Pakistan’s innings.
With Babar playing the role of anchor, Rizwan showed his attacking instincts during the 86-run stand for the third wicket coming off 111 balls.
But the start to their partnership was far from rosy as the duo initially struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking, with Pakistan reaching 50 in the 12th over.
The Pakistani duo then made the scoreboard tick with one and two and hit the bad balls to the boundary to raise the team’s 100 in the 22nd over.
Just as he looked menacing, Rizwan took a direct hit to the end of Dipendra Singh Airee’s non-striker looking for a quick single. Rizwan paid the price for not grounding his bat, which is not acceptable at the highest level.
While Babar kept one side steady, Salman Agha (5) failed to cause much trouble for the scorers and fell prey to Sandeep Lamichhane.
Babar brought up his fifty with a double in the 29th left.
But the arrival of Iftikhar gave much needed boost to Pakistan’s innings as he played aggressively from the start.
Iftikhar’s approach seemed to have inspired Babar, but he too opened his arms afterwards and pushed the boundaries as he saw fit.
Babar brought in his ton with 109 balls in the 42nd over.
The duo, especially Iftikhar, played with the Nepalese bowlers as it rained fours and sixes at will from then on. Iftikhar brought up his first barrel with only 67 balls.
Babar Azam’s 151 is the highest score by a captain in the Asia Cup. Babar Azam is also the fastest scoring 19 centuries which is a world record. He reached the milestone in 102 innings, while Hashim Amla had reached the milestone in 104 innings. Virat Kohli is third fastest to the line in 124 innings.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed 214-run stand is the third highest partnership for each wicket in the Asia Cup.
“Babar is a great player, number 1 in the world. It’s a great feeling to bat with him. He rotates the stroke really well and we discussed scoring a boundary when we get a loose ball. The wicket got better to save as the ball went on innings,” Iftikhar Ahmed said after the knock.
With PTI inputs
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