Asia Cup 2023, Match 1 | Pakistan's Predicted XI vs Nepal

image-llwar9e8Pakistan will be taking on Nepal in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The Asia Cup 2023 is upon us and it will be Pakistan (PAK) against Nepal (NEP) in the opening clash of the tournament. The match will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan, Pakistan. The match is scheduled on August 30, Wednesday at 3:00 PM IST. 

Pakistan will be looking to give a strong performance in this game and announce themselves pretty early in the tournament. They are coming into this tournament on the back of a clinical performance against Afghanistan in the recently concluded three-match series. Babar Azam and his men will try and maintain the momentum and perform likewise in this game. 

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Keeping the playing conditions and the recent form of the players in mind, here is the predicted XI of Pakistan for match 1 of Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal. 


Openers: Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

The two left-handers have been opening the innings for Pakistan in ODIs for quite some time now. It looks like the Fakhar-Imam pair is what Pakistan have planned for the World Cup 2023. If Asia Cup 2023 is considered a preparatory platform for the mega-event later this year, then the team management will look to give the duo enough game time together. Also, their form has been pretty decent in the recent past and hence there is no need of tinkering with the combination. 


Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman 2023 ODI form:

Player
Matches
Runs
Runs Per Innings
Imam-ul-Haq835644.50
Fakhar Zaman1157952.63



Middle-Order: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed

The solid duo of Fakhar and Imam will be followed by class personified, Babar Azam,  the skipper of the team. Babar along with Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper batter, provides both dynamism and solidity to the batting line-up. Both of them are pretty consistent and during their time in the crease, they ensure that the strike is rotated frequently. This keeps the scoreboard moving and provides the stage for the lower-order batters to come and increase the scoring rate. 

Iftikhar Ahmed is the flexible factor in the batting line-up.  He can increase the scoring rate coming lower down the order and even bat with stability if the situation demands so. Ahmed can also bowl a few overs if and when required. So, Iftikhar adds plenty of value to the team. 


Recent ODI stats of the Pakistani Middle-order:

Player
Matches
Runs
Runs Per Innings
Babar Azam1153848.91
Md. Rizwan1143339.36
Iftikhar Ahmed416942.25


All-rounders: Agha Salman, Shadab Khan and Usama Mir

Shadab Khan is probably the most valuable player in this set-up. He is one such player who can turn out to be the match-winner with either the bat or the ball. Shadab will be paired with Usama Mir, the duo will be looking after the spin department and also the lower-order batting. 

Agha Salman is more of a batter who can bowl, much in the line of Iftikhar Ahmed. Salman provides solidity to the batting line-up and also a variety in the spin section. 


Here is a look at the record of these players in ODIs in 2023:

Player
Matches
Runs
Wickets
Agha Salman112954
Shadab Khan61257
Usama Mir84011



Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf

This trio looks like one of the most dangerous and potent bowling line-ups in the world. The unit of Afridi, Shah and Rauf is compact in every possible way. While Shah and Afridi can be lethal with the new ball, Rauf can have a great impact in the death overs. The three of them can also come in the middle-overs for small spells and change the complexion of a match with their skill set. 

All said the only lacking part of the unit is the experience. Otherwise, this is a great combination and this is what Pakistan will field unless there is some unfortunate injury. 


This is how the trio has done with the ball in ODIs in 2023:

Player
Matches
Wickets
Strike Rate
Shaheen Afridi71425.14
Naseem Shah71524.40
Haris Rauf91529.93



Asia Cup 2023, Match 1: Pakistan Predicted XI vs Nepal

Fakhar Zaman
Imam-ul-Haq
Babar Azam (c)
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Agha Salman
Iftikhar Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Usama Mir
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Naseem Shah
Haris Rauf