‘Ise kehte hein number one team ki performance’ – Fans praise Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed for their centuries against Nepal in Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed dominated the young and inexperienced bowling attack of Nepal in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 game. In the game, the home side, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. However, they had a poor start as they lost their openers, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul Haq 6.1 overs. At 25/2, the likes of Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan put together 86 runs for the third wicket.

However, after the latter casual approach while taking a run and losing his wicket, Salman Agha didn’t last long either. At 124/4, the likes of Azam and Ahmed put together 214 runs for the fifth wicket. The former scored his 50 in close to 80 balls. However, Ahmed managed to score the first 30 runs by almost a run-a-ball rate. His innings also had an effect on the Pakistan skipper’s scoring rate.

The 2017 Champions Trophy winner ended up getting 151 runs off 131 balls. During this process, he ended up hitting three back-to-back sixes for the first time in his ODI career. On the other hand, Ahmed ended up getting his maiden ODI hundred, having scored 94 not out against New Zealand a while back. They helped the team get to an improbable 342/6.

Me and Babar Azam talked about getting the scoreboard going: Iftikhar Ahmed

“Thanks to God for helping me perform so well. When you achieve something, get a century, the feeling is exquisite. When I came in, the ball was gripping, wasn’t coming onto the bat well. As a professional, you have to give yourself time and use your abilities. He’s a great player, world No. 1, playing with him is awesome. We talked about getting ones and twos and getting boundaries when possible. (On the pitch) When I came in, the ball was gripping and coming off without pace. As I played, the wicket got better,” Ahmed said in the mid-game show

At the time of writing, Nepal has scored 42/3 in 8.3 overs.

This is how Twitter reacted

https://twitter.com/56rayham/status/1696875459298865374?s=20

https://twitter.com/BabarAzamkingO/status/1696875838262661342?s=20