Jennifer
On 30 August 2023, the Asia Cup began in Multan Cricket Stadium as Pakistan took on Nepal in the tournament opener. It was the first match for Pakistan after becoming the new number-one ranked side in ODIs. Recently, they defeated Afghanistan 3-0 in a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka and achieved the feat.
However, Babar failed to notch up a big score in the recent series with the bat against the Afghans. He is currently the number-one ranked batter in ODIs. In those three matches, the Pakistan skipper scored 113 runs, including two fifties. So, all eyes were on him whether he could make a solid start in front of the home crowd.
Babar Azam hit his 19th ODI ton vs Nepal
Meanwhile, he won the toss and opted to bat first. Babar said: “We will bat first, pitch looks very dry and shiny. No reason to name the XI earlier, we wanted to give confidence to our team. To be honest, being the top ranked team brings a good kind of pressure, we’ll try to enjoy and do our best.” At home conditions, Babar has a staggering average of 75+ in ODIs. But, the home side had some early jolts after losing the first two wickets for just 25 runs. Babar came out to bat at the number three position after Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal.
Then, he and Mohammad Rizwan put up a partnership of 86 runs for the third wicket. Rizwan got out after scoring 44 runs off 50 balls. Agha Salman came but got out quickly. After that, Iftikhar Ahmed came in and again, Babar managed to stitch a solid and quick partnership for the fifth wicket. Finally, Babar reached his 19th ODI ton off 109 balls. He hit 10 fours in his innings to reach the milestone. However, Babar started the innings slowly but as the match progressed, he improved his strike rate. In that same over, Iftikhar also reached his fifty as Pakistan scored 228 runs for four wickets after 42 overs.
Here is how fans have reacted:
One of the best in ODI cricket Babar Azam, alone warrior for Pakistan. #PAKvsNEP #AsiaCup2023 #PakvsNepal #AsiaCup23
— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) August 30, 2023
After successfully Two runout, he made it century against Nepal 😝😝#PAKvsNEP
— Kapil Pratap Singh (@kapil9994) August 30, 2023
Congratulations @babarazam258 #AsiaCup2023
— Vishal Kumar (@vishalkumar9000) August 30, 2023
— Dennis🕸 (@DenissForReal) August 30, 2023
against minnows how many centuries
— Bala⁴⁵Rohit (@bala45_rohit) August 30, 2023
Owned mighty Nepal 💪🏻
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) August 30, 2023
One of the biggest statpadder in the world.
— *Roe Joot* (@ImGani22) August 30, 2023
— Hunटरर ♂ (@nickhunterr) August 30, 2023
Intersting 👀🔥
— Salman (@TheSalmanPathan) August 30, 2023
