Pakistan, the newly ranked No 1 team in the ODIs, technically the hosts for the Asia Cup, play Nepal in the opener on home soil, with the major portion of the tournament to be staged in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play just two games at home and the remaining in Sri Lanka, including the big ones against India.
On the other hand, the Nepal team is all set to make their Asia Cup debut, having been clubbed in Group A alongside the hosts and India.
The Nepal cricket team are coming off straight competitive outings, having participated in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, where it finished eighth, followed by the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup, failing to progress beyond the group stage.
Nepal have qualified for the Asia Cup by winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Nepal in April-May. The qualifying tournament had ten teams and Nepal beat UAE in the final by seven wickets.
Ahead of the Asia Cup opener, here are few tip-offs for the match:
Nawaz gets the nod ahead of Faheem
Pakistan have announced their XI for the Asia Cup opener against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium a day before the match. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz has got the nod ahead of Faheem Ashraf for the bowling all-rounder spot.
Babar vs Lamichhane
Nepal’s leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane is going to be the key player for his side, considering he has played in the Pakistan Super League. Lamichhane will be eager to take on Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who has struggled against Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Babar has been dismissed by the Afghanistan spinner six times in seven T20 innings. In ODIs, he has fallen to him twice out of four times. Lamichhane would be eager to have a hold over Pakistan skipper.
Fit-again Kami returns for Nepal
Sompal Kami, who missed the World Cup qualifier due to hand injury sustained during Nepal’s match against Zimbabwe is all set to lead their pacer attack. The 27-year-old Kami has bagged 63 wickets in 47 ODIs.
Pakistan vs Nepal Pitch Report
Pakistan has chased down 306 in the first ODI against West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Like any venue in Pakistan it will be a high-scoring one.
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Pakistan vs Nepal Weather Report
The weather is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures reaching the high 30s (Celsius).
Pakistan vs Nepal Predicted XI
Pakistan Predicted XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Nepal Predicted XI: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
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