Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed©AFP
Pakistan’s batsmen Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed recorded the third-highest partnership for any wicket in ODI Asia Cup history on Wednesday. The duo achieved this during their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener against Nepal in Multan. Iftikhar joined Babar as the team struggled at 124/4 in 27.5 overs. From then on, they absolutely dismantled the Nepalese bowlers in the bottom half of the innings. Babar hit 151 in 131 balls, comprising 14 fours and four sixes, while Iftikhar crushed his first century to finish unbeaten on 109 in 71 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes.
Together the duo added 214 runs for the fifth wicket. It is the third highest partnership for any wicket in ODI Asia Cup history. The highest partnership is between Nasir Jamshed and Mohammed Hafeez (224 runs) against India in 2012, followed by a 223 run tie between Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik against Hong Kong in 2004.
This is also the highest fifth-wicket partnership in Asia Cup history.
This partnership between Babar and Iftikhar is also the highest partnership of a Pakistani pair for the fourth wicket or lower.
Iftikhar’s century came in just 67 balls, this is the fourth fastest century by a Pakistani batsman, with Shahid Afridi’s fastest in just 37 balls.
When Pakistan came to the match and chose to bat first, Pakistan put up 342/6 in their 50 overs. Pakistan was reduced to 25/2 after Fakhar Zaman (14) and Imam-Ul-Haq (5) were sacked.
Babar then had a stand of 86 runs for the third wicket with Mohammed Rizwan (44 in 50 balls, with six fours), helping Pakistan to reach three figures. After the quick dismissals of Rizwan and Agha Salman (5), Pakistan was left with problems on 124/4 and from then on, Babar and Iftikhar helped Pakistan to recover.
Later, Nepal was bowled out for 104 after Shadab Khan took a three wicket haul. Apart from him, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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