*ASIA CUP 2023- PAKISTAN VERSUS NEPAL MATCH 1 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*A STERN TEST FOR NEPAL FIRST UP AGAINST THE HOSTS:*
We are ready. The world is ready, the broadcasters are ready and we as passionate viewers of the game, are also geared up. The Asia Cup is here and this year we have two hosts presenting us with this glorious tournament with the first game kicking off at Multan, where Pakistan will lock horns with the inexperienced Nepal who will be competing in their first ever Asia Cup. It goes without saying that they are rookies on this front and against a menacing bowling lineup of Pakistan who have the aces stacked towards them, the Nepali batters will be in for some challenging treat.
Pakistan, on the other hand are coming off a good series win vs Afghanistan. The wins didn’t come by with ease barring the first ODI and in all three games, the batting of Pakistan appeared brittle and low on spin tackling power, this is surely one aspect where Nepal can have a slim chance. The men in green recently toppled Australia from the top of the ODI men’s team ranking and they would love to build on their reputation by starting off on the right note and preparing well before they clash with India in Srilanka.
It would be interesting to see how their ace batter and their skipper Babar Azam, leads them. The fans would want a rejenuvated and a courageous side of their captain take the field as Pakistan would look to go one step higher than last time and clinch the title.
*PAKISTAN PROBABLE XI:*
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi/Naseem shah, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah/Haris Rauf
I expect Pakistan to rest one of their pacers. It could most likely be Shaheen who they would like to keep fresh before the mega clash vs India. Faheem Ashraf as a result, could feature in the XI batting in the lower order. His ability to bowl in all phases of the game and being a valuable hand with the bat could be really vital and useful for Pakistan as they look to begin positively.
Whether Babar gives him the new ball or not will be interesting to see and it could also give insight into the planning of the management for the rest of the tournament.
Shadab Khan, a match winner and a gun allrounder needs a good Asia Cup backing him in order to play a role of significance in the next event to follow up. He showed the right character and attitude vs Afghanistan lately and should back himself to deliver even in the first game. On a surface where there is greater value for the batters, the leg spin of Shadab and his flighted deliveries outside the off stump will be teasing enough for the Nepalis who would love to fetch it out from outside and in the process, end up throwing their wickets away. Keep a close eye on him and the bag of tricks that he will be offering.
When you talk about Pakistan’s batting, a lot of the discussions revolve around the might of Babar Fakhar and Imam. But if you look closely, then Saud Shakeel who plays spin like a champion will be an even bigger watch. He has the technique, he knows how to accelerate and most importantly, his footwork and body language vs Spin (which is going to be a big bonus for the team) is fabulous. When you need somebody to grind it out in the middle and make the tough runs, Saud seems to be the right pick and he along with Salman Agha who is another attacking batter will be my picks for the triumph card.
*NEPAL PROBABLE XI:*
Arjun Saud(wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kishore Mahato, Pratis GC, Mousom Dhakal/Sandeep Lamichhane
Kushal Malla is the batter who could show some resistance and attack at the same time against this deadly bowling lineup of Pakistan. He was instrumental in the Men’s Premier Cup with over 200 runs and his might vs this bowling lineup will be worth watching. What he does against the hosts will also define his character and the insane amount of patience and practice he has put in at the training pre match. On a flat track where the bowlers will be most likely treated with disdain, Kushal could become the highest run getter from the Asian side Nepal.
Sandeep Lamichanne is known for being the best leg spinner from Nepal. He has the trickery and there’s something special about the lad. He was a key performer for Nepal even in the recently concluded Asia Cup Qualifiers (the Premier cup as some would like to call it) and on wickets which will be very similar specially in Srilanka, he could be a threat. Excited to see him go about his business vs Pakistan tomorrow against a middle order that in recent times, has failed to read spin from the hand.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR PAKISTAN:*
Highest run getter- Saud Shakeel/Babar Azam
Highest wicket taker- Haris Rauf/Shadab Khan
*FOR NEPAL:*
Highest run getter- Kushal Malla/Bhurtel
Highest wicket taker- Pratis GC/Sandeep Lamichhane
*FOR THE GAME:*
Pakistan to win