New Delhi. Asia Cup 2023 is going to start from tomorrow i.e. 30 August. In the first match of the tournament, Pakistan will face Nepal. Nepal team is going to face Babar Azam’s team in ODI for the first time. If we look at the ODI record, Nepal team has played against 10 teams so far and won 7. In such a situation, the Pakistan team will want to be careful with him. The performance of 5 players including captain Rohit Paudel has been excellent. As for the 16th season of the Asia Cup, India, Pakistan and Nepal are in one group while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in the other group. If we look at the ODI World Cup, the Asia Cup is considered important in terms of preparation.
Nepal team is entering the Asia Cup for the first time. In such a situation, his players will want to leave their mark by performing well here. The team has played the most 15 matches against UAE. He won 9 and lost 6. Apart from this, Nepal team has managed to win 8 ODIs against PNG, 4 against America, 3-3 against Oman and Scotland, 2 against Namibia and one ODI against Netherlands. The Netherlands have also qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Nepal also played 1-1 ODIs against Ireland, West Indies and Zimbabwe, but could not win. Overall, Nepal has played 57 ODIs so far. He has won 30, lost 25. One match was a tie while one match was inconclusive.
Captain Rohit and Asif are very dangerous
Nepal’s 20-year-old captain Rohit Paudel is the highest run-scorer for the team in ODIs. In such a situation, most of the eyes will be on him in the Asia Cup. Rohit has scored 1469 runs at an average of 32 in 51 innings of 52 matches. Scored one century and 8 half-centuries. The strike rate is 76. At the same time, wicketkeeper batsman Asif Sheikh is also known for his fast batting. He has scored 1187 runs in 41 ODI innings at an average of 31. 22-year-old Asif has scored a century and 9 fifties. And opener Kushal Bhurtel has also scored 986 runs in 43 innings. Scored a century and 6 fifties.
Sandeep Lamichhane Player of the Match
Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will be the main driver of Nepal’s victory. He has been playing consistently in all the major leagues around the world including the IPL. The 23-year-old Lamichhan has played 49 ODIs so far. He has taken 111 wickets in 48 innings at an average of 17. 6 wickets for 11 runs is the best performance. Economy is only 4.27. He has also achieved the feat of taking 4 wickets 8 times and 5 wickets 3 times. Apart from Lamichhane, no other bowler of Nepal has been able to touch the mark of 100 wickets in ODIs. However, Sandeep Lamichhane was also mired in controversies. He had to stay in jail for the past few days due to rape charges. He is currently out on bail. The case against him is still going on.
Fast bowler Chhetri is no less
All-rounder and fast bowler Karan Chhetri will be responsible for getting Nepal’s wickets with the new ball. Chhetri has taken 73 wickets at an average of 24 in 46 ODI innings for the team. 5 wickets for 33 runs is the best performance. Has taken 4 wickets 5 times and 5 wickets 3 times. Economy is 5.25. However, under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Pakistan team will come with the intention of registering a big win against Nepal. Recently, the team defeated Afghanistan 3-0 in the ODI series. Pakistan team is at the top in ODI ranking. Apart from this, Babar is also the number-1 batsman in ODIs.
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Tags: Asia Cup, Babar Azam, Nepal, Pakistan
First published: August 29, 2023, 11:18 IST