Pakistan skipper Babar Azam became the fastest batter (in terms of innings) in the history of One Day Internationals (ODIs) to reach 19 ODI centuries. The right-handed batter achieved the landmark during Pakistan's tournament opener against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Wednesday (August 30). While South African legend Hashim Amla had got to the mark in 104 innings, Babar got there in 102 innings.
Pakistan, the world's number 1 ranked team in ODIs, were made to work hard by Nepal especially early on their innings after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. The team were at one stage 25/2 before being reduced to 124/4 but Babar and Iftikhar Ahmed's innings-reviving partnership helped them finish on a high as Pakistan eventually eneded up posting 342/6.
While Babar got out only in the last over after scoring 151 off 131, Iftikhar was responsible for providing the real impetus into the innings in the middle overs and eventually remained not out on 109 off 71 deliveries.
As far as Nepal are concerned, Sompal Kami picked up 2 wickets but conceded 85 runs in his 10 overs. Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane chipped in with a wicket each. In addition, Nepal produced two run-outs with captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee's fielding inducing the wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan respectively.
India, Pakistan and Nepal are clubbed in Group A in Asia Cup 2023. Following Pakistan's match with Nepal, they will then take on India in Pallekele on September 2. Nepal will also lock horns against India at the same venue on September 4. Nepal are featuring in Asia Cup for the first time and have qualified for the same after winning the Asian Premier Cup earlier this year. They defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final.