In the opening game of the Asia Cup on Wednesday, Pakistan crushed Nepal by 238 runs, led by captain Babar Azam's beautiful 151 and Iftikhar Ahmed's first ODI century.
Babar and Iftikhar played a key role in Pakistan reaching 342 for six after opting to bat.
Babar (151 off 130), who had a sluggish start, was a part of two crucial partnerships that resulted in Pakistan reaching a dominant total. His first partnership was for 86 runs with Mohammad Rizwan (44 off 50), and their next partnership was for a fast 214 runs for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar (109 not out off 71 balls).
Babar enriched his innings with four sixes and 14 fours, while Iftikhar, who was at his explosive best, smashed 11 boundaries and four smashes over the boundary.
This came after Pakistan's innings got off to a lackluster start with the loss of both of their openers.
It turned out to be a Herculean effort for Nepal, as it was always going to be.
Kushal Bhurtel gave Nepal's quest a spirited start by hitting his opening two deliveries from Shaheen Shah Afridi for two straight boundaries. The great left-arm, though, mounted a stunning comeback to dismiss both Bhurtel and Nepal's captain Rohit Paudel in the following two deliveries of the over, so it was just momentary.
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