Pakistan cricket team’s skipper Babar Azam was in the sublime touch in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023. Babar Azam smashed a turbulent knock of 151 runs in 131 balls and struck 14 fours and 4 sixes. Babar Azam had to take the team out of the muddle as at one stage, the Men in Green were reduced to 124-4 in 27.5 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed seemed as if he was batting on a different track. The dynamic right-handed batter scored 109 runs in 71 balls and struck 11 fours and 4 gigantic sixes. Babar Azam & Iftikhar Ahmed stitched a humongous partnership of 214 runs in 131 balls as there was sheer domination by the duo.
Fascinating Action on Cards
It won’t be wrong to say that once again Babar Azam will hold the key against India. The likes of Fakhar Zaman & Imam-ul-Haq need to lay the foundation for the rest of the batters and take time before going berserk as there is difference between the ODI & T20I formats. In the 2018 Asia Cup, India outplayed Pakistan twice as the Rohit Sharma-led side held the edge.
Concerns for Pakistan
Pakistan’s top order was exposed and if Babar Azam had been dismissed earlier then who knows Nepal could have won the match. Perhaps, the management should promote Shadab Khan ahead of Agha Salman as we have seen how Shadab can dethrone the bowling lineup in PSL and other tournaments.
Pakistan’s next match is against their arch-rivals India on 2nd September at Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The conditions would be quite different as compared to Multan. The skipper Babar Azam won’t score a significant ton every time as he too needs support from the rest of the team members.