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India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: Win Against Nepal, But Eyes On India Clash - Babar Azam Makes Intent Clear With Big Statement

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Wednesday said the massive 238-run win over Nepal in the Asia Cup opener will give his side confidence ahead of their blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India on Saturday. Pakistan crushed minnows Nepal by a huge margin of 238 runs here in a Group A match to make a winning start to the Asia Cup. Pakistan will now travel to Sri Lanka for the much-anticipated match against India to be played in Pallekele.

Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed Power Pakistan To Huge Win Over Nepal In Asia Cup Opener

Skipper Babar Azam hit a delightful 151 while Iftikhar Ahmed smashed his maiden ODI century as Pakistan thrashed minnows Nepal by 238 runs in the opening match of the Asia Cup in Multan on Wednesday. Babar and Iftikhar played pivotal roles in powering Pakistan to 342 for six after opting to bat. Babar (151 off 130) was involved in two crucial partnerships after a sedate start — first stitching 86 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 50) and then sharing a whirlwind 214 runs for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar (109 not out off 71 balls) — to take Pakistan to an imposing total.

From Pakistan To Nepal: Asia Cup 2023 Line-Up

Six nations will compete for cricket's Asia Cup from Wednesday, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Won by Sri Lanka a year ago over the T20 format, this year the Asia Cup reverts to 50 overs. It is also a final chance for Asia's cricketing giants to size each other up before October's World Cup in India. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four with the leading two in the standings contesting the final in Colombo on September 17.

Asia's Cricket Giants Square Up Ahead Of World Cup

Asia's cricket giants India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will get a final chance to size each other up before October's 50-over World Cup when the Asia Cup begins on Wednesday. Fiery rivals India and Pakistan could clash as many as three times if they go all the way in the six-nation continental championship. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-hosts, a hybrid model agreed after World Cup hosts India refused to tour Pakistan, with the final on September 17 in Colombo.

Pakistan Whitewash Afghanistan 3-0 To Top ODI rankings

Pakistan rose to the top of the one-day international rankings with a 59-run win against Afghanistan in the third and final match in Colombo on Saturday, claiming a 3-0 series whitewash. Pakistan were helped to 268-8 in 50 overs by a solid 79-ball 67 from Mohammad Rizwan and an 86-ball innings of 60 from skipper Babar Azam. They then dismissed their opponents for 209 in 48.4 overs with number nine Mujeeb Ur Rahman top-scoring for Afghanistan with a 37-ball 64 for his maiden half century. Rahman smashed five sixes and as many boundaries, racing to a new Afghan record for the fastest ODI fifty off just 26 balls before he stepped on to his stump and was out hit wicket off Shaheen Shah Afridi. Rashid Khan was the previous record holder for Afghanistan with a 27-ball fifty against Ireland in Abu Dhabi last year.

Deadlock Persists Over Pakistan Cricket Board's New Contracts Ahead Of Asia Cup

The deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the national team players over the signing of new central contracts is yet to be resolved ahead of the all-important Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A well-informed insider in the board on Saturday confirmed that there were still a number of issues to be sorted out and at one stage senior pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi had refused to sign the new central contract after the PCB denied him an NOC for the Emirates T20 International League. "Shaheen got so frustrated at the board's refusal to issue him an NOC that he made it clear it would be best if he didn't sign any contract with the board and played as a freelancer," the insider said.

Haris Rauf Leads Pakistan's Rout Of Afghanistan In First ODI

Fiery pacer Haris Rauf led a pace assault on Afghanistan with a career-best five-wicket haul to give Pakistan a thumping 142-run victory in the first ODI in Sri Lanka's Hambantota on Tuesday. Rauf's shattering 5-18 in 6.2 overs forced Afghanistan to their second-lowest ODI totals of 59 in a staggering 19.2 overs after Pakistan were bowled out for 201 in 47.1 overs. The victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series -- the first bilateral between the two nations -- with the remaining matches in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.

"Asia Cup Will Be Big Part Of India's Preparations For World Cup": Tim Southee

With the World Cup less than two months away, New Zealand pace spearhead Tim Southee says the upcoming Asia Cup will be a big part of India's preparations for the showpiece, while admitting that scheduling of T20 competitions has made it difficult for teams to align resources. India announced an extended 17-member squad for the Asia Cup starting August 30, including Sanju Samson as travelling stand-by player since KL Rahul — the preferred wicketkeeper-batter at No. 5 — has picked up a niggle to his original injury.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi Sport News

India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: Win Against Nepal, But Eyes On India Clash - Babar Azam Makes Intent Clear With Big Statement

Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed Power Pakistan To Huge Win Over Nepal In Asia Cup Opener

From Pakistan To Nepal: Asia Cup 2023 Line-Up

Asia's Cricket Giants Square Up Ahead Of World Cup

Pakistan Whitewash Afghanistan 3-0 To Top ODI rankings

Deadlock Persists Over Pakistan Cricket Board's New Contracts Ahead Of Asia Cup

Haris Rauf Leads Pakistan's Rout Of Afghanistan In First ODI

"Asia Cup Will Be Big Part Of India's Preparations For World Cup": Tim Southee