Pakistan’s batting performance in the match was nothing short of exemplary. Led by their captain, Babar Azam, the team showcased a blend of aggression and finesse, putting up a formidable total on the scoreboard. Azam’s masterful innings of 151 runs off 131 balls was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting prowess. His ability to find gaps in the field, play both orthodox and innovative shots, and rotate the strike showcased his complete command over his craft. With 14 boundaries and 4 towering sixes, Azam’s innings left the fans in awe.
The openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, provided a solid start, albeit brief. Zaman’s brisk 14 runs off 20 balls injected momentum into the innings, while Imam’s 5 runs off 14 balls set the foundation. Mohammad Rizwan’s contribution of 44 runs off 50 balls showcased his ability to stabilize the innings and accelerate when required.
The true revelation, however, was Iftikhar Ahmed. His unbeaten knock of 109 runs off just 71 balls was a treat for cricket enthusiasts. Ahmed’s innings was a masterclass in power hitting, as he struck 11 boundaries and 4 sixes. His timing, placement, and ability to manipulate the fielding placements demonstrated his cricketing intelligence. Ahmed’s knock proved pivotal in propelling Pakistan to a commanding total of 342/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
| Pakistan (50 ovs maximum) | |||||||
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Fakhar Zaman | c †Aasif Sheikh b Karan KC | 14 | 20 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 70 |
| Imam-ul-Haq | run out (Paudel) | 5 | 14 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 35.71 |
| Babar Azam (c) | c sub (S Jora) b Sompal Kami | 151 | 131 | 187 | 14 | 4 | 115.26 |
| Mohammad Rizwan † | run out (Airee) | 44 | 50 | 66 | 6 | 0 | 88 |
| Agha Salman | c Bhurtel b Lamichhane | 5 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 35.71 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | not out | 109 | 71 | 102 | 11 | 4 | 153.52 |
| Shadab Khan | b Sompal Kami | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 200 |
| Extras | (lb 1, nb 2, w 7) | 10 | |||||
| TOTAL | 50 Ov (RR: 6.84) | 342/6 |
Clinical Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowlers complemented the batting effort with a clinical performance that dismantled Nepal’s batting lineup. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s opening burst of pace and swing yielded him 2 crucial wickets for a mere 27 runs in his 5-over spell. His ability to extract movement from the pitch and generate pace made him a constant threat.
Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf capitalized on the pressure created by Afridi, sharing 3 wickets between them while maintaining tight lines and lengths. Naseem Shah’s ability to extract bounce troubled the batsmen, while Haris Rauf’s well-directed yorkers showcased his death bowling skills.
The standout performer, however, was leg-spinner Shadab Khan. His variations, flight, and control over the ball bamboozled the Nepalese batsmen. Khan’s figures of 4 wickets for 27 runs in 6.4 overs reflected his match-turning impact. Mohammad Nawaz’s contribution with the ball further added to Nepal’s woes, as he secured a wicket while maintaining an economical spell.
Pakistan’s bowling unit’s ability to work in tandem and capitalize on the early momentum set by the openers ensured Nepal was restricted to a modest total, making the job easier for their batsmen.
Pakistan Bowling
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | 5 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 5.4 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Naseem Shah | 5 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 3.4 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Haris Rauf | 5 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 3.2 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Shadab Khan | 6.4 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 4.05 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 2 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 6.5 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Nepal’s Gritty Fightback
Facing a substantial target of 343 runs, Nepal’s batting lineup displayed a fighting spirit despite the challenging situation. Kushal Bhurtel’s brief but explosive 8 runs off 4 balls, featuring 2 boundaries, hinted at Nepal’s aggressive intent.
Aarif Sheikh’s determined knock of 26 runs off 38 balls showcased his ability to anchor the innings. His partnerships with Sompal Kami and Gulsan Jha offered glimpses of resilience. Kami’s knock of 28 runs off 46 balls demonstrated his willingness to battle against the odds.
However, Nepal struggled to form substantial partnerships and maintain a consistent run rate against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Sandeep Lamichhane’s resistance and Karan KC’s unbeaten cameo added some runs to the total, but they ultimately fell short.
| Nepal (T: 343 runs from 50 ovs) | |||||||
| BATTING | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Kushal Bhurtel | c †Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 200 |
| Aasif Sheikh † | c Iftikhar Ahmed b Naseem Shah | 5 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| Rohit Paudel (c) | lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aarif Sheikh | b Haris Rauf | 26 | 38 | 66 | 5 | 0 | 68.42 |
| Sompal Kami | c †Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf | 28 | 46 | 72 | 4 | 0 | 60.86 |
| Gulsan Jha | c Fakhar Zaman b Shadab Khan | 13 | 23 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 56.52 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | b Mohammad Nawaz | 3 | 11 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 27.27 |
| Kushal Malla | c Iftikhar Ahmed b Shadab Khan | 6 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 150 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | b Shadab Khan | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Karan KC | not out | 7 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 116.66 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | lbw b Shadab Khan | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (lb 4, w 4) | 8 | |||||
| TOTAL | 23.4 Ov (RR: 4.39) | 104 |
| BOWLING | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
| Sompal Kami | 10 | 1 | 85 | 2 | 8.5 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Karan KC | 9 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 6 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Gulsan Jha | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 8.75 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | 10 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 4.8 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | 10 | 0 | 69 | 1 | 6.9 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | 6 | 0 | 40 | 0 | 6.66 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kushal Bhurtel | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Conclusion
The match between Pakistan and Nepal provided cricket fans with a captivating display of batting and bowling prowess. Pakistan’s dominant batting, led by Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, set a challenging target for Nepal. The clinical bowling performance, spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan, ensured Pakistan’s victory.
Nepal’s gritty fightback, characterized by Aarif Sheikh’s determination and Sompal Kami’s resilience, added a touch of drama to the contest. While Nepal showcased their determination, Pakistan’s comprehensive display with bat and ball secured their victory and left a lasting impression on the cricketing world.
