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 'Preparation For India...': Babar Azam 'Fires' Warning After Thrashing Nepal

image-llym89h7Babar Azam slammed his 19th ODI ton on Wednesday [X.com]

The opening match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 witnessed co-host Pakistan show clinical performance against newcomers Nepal in Multan. Helped by centuries by skipper Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan posted a mammoth 342, which Nepal could not chase down, and folded for 104.

With this win, Pakistan heading into the all-important Group A match against India on September 2 will be brimming with confidence. Azam, who slammed his 19th One-Day International (ODI) century on Wednesday, stated that the win over Nepal was good preparation for the India encounter, which will take place in Pallekele.

The skipper scored a masterful  151 off 131 laced with 14 fours and four sixes, and also stitched a record-breaking fifth wicket stand with Ahmed of 214 runs.  As quoted by India Today, Azam explained how the pitch was double-paced, and Mohammad Rizwan guided the batter in the initial phase. 

Here's what Azam said

“A couple of overs we were not up to the mark. Pacers started well, spinners struck too. This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence. We want to give 100% every match, hope to do that there as well.

When I went in, I played myself in for a couple of balls. Ball wasn't coming on, pitch was two-paced. Rizwan and I built a partnership and see what happened. Then, there were different phases. Sometimes, Rizwan gave me confidence and vice-versa,"

While several Pakistan players are coming off playing in Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 last month, Team India arrive in Colombo after a gruelling six-day camp in Alur.