Pakistan vs Nepal: Fantasy Team for today’s Asia Cup match

Asia Cup’s opening game will see co-hosts Pakistan playing this year’s debutant, Nepal. For the Men in Green, the match will be a cakewalk. For Nepal, this will be a great platform to showcase their talent. Nepal are in Group A with two giants, India and Pakistan. The opening game of the Asia Cup will take place at the Multan Cricket Stadium. 

Pakistan vs Nepal: Match details

Venue: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan

Date: 30th August, 2:30 PM (Local), 3:00 PM (IST)

Where to watch in India: Star Sports India (TV) and Disney+ Hotstar (Streaming)

Pakistan vs Nepal: Preview

In their most recent match, Pakistan chose to bat after winning the toss against Afghanistan. The decision to bat was not too poor because they had a respectable opening stand. However, the third wicket partnership, in which Babar and Rizwan went on to score fifty runs each, really stood out. Their contribution enabled Pakistan to reach a total of 268 runs. In response, Afghanistan struggled to get off to the right start and continued losing wickets. Even though Mujeeb scored an Afghan player’s fastest fifty ever, the total seemed higher and the team still lost by 59 runs.

Ireland and Nepal had previously faced off, with Ireland winning the toss and choosing to field. Although Nepal’s start was a touch sluggish, when the first wicket fell, they picked up the pace of their scoring. The total for Nepal reached 268 runs thanks to a few strong partnerships and a brilliant fifty by Gulsan Jha in the last overs. Ireland suffered early wicket losses but recovered by the middle. The match remained intriguing as they frequently lost wickets, and Ireland eventually prevailed by two wickets in the final over.

Pakistan vs Nepal: Pitch Report

In the past, Multan Cricket Stadium has been advantageous for hitters since Pacers enjoy bowling there because of the seam and swing they can produce. The batters should pay attention to the ball since reverse swing may also frighten them. The average first innings total is 239, therefore teams that win the toss may decide to chase it.

Pakistan vs Nepal: Fantasy Team

Wicketkeeper

Mohammad Rizwan: In the wicketkeeper department there is not any debate, Mohammad Rizwan picks himself up in any fantasy team. In the 60 ODI matches he has played, he has an average of 30+ and a strike rate close to 90.

Batters

Babar Azam (C): Pakistani skipper, Babar Azam is a great choice for captaincy option. He will be expected to play the anchor role and elongate his time on the crease. Once set he can score a lot of runs.

Imam-ul-Haq (VC): Imam-ul-Haq has recently piled up runs in the series against Afghanistan. He will be a great option for the role of vice-captain.

Fakhar Zaman: Imam-ul-Haq’s opening partner, Fakhar Zaman will complete the batting trio consisting of Pakistan’s top order. 

Rohit Kumar Paudel: Nepal’s skipper, Rohit Paudel is someone who could be among the runs. He is one of the least selected players and can be a great pick. 

All-rounder

Shadab Khan: Shadab Khan has been one of the best performers for Pakistan of late. Shadab is primarily a bowling all-rounder. In the ODI series against Afghanistan, he bowled 21 overs and took 4 wickets. On top of his wickets, he scored 90 in three innings. 

Bowlers

Shaheen Shah Afridi: The pitch at Multan Cricket Stadium is expected to provide swing and there is no one better than Shaheen Afridi who can exploit those conditions. The pacer can quickly pick up wickets with the new ball.

Haris Rauf: Another Pakistani pacer, who can trouble the Nepal batters with his extra yard of pace.

Naseem Shah: Naseem Shah has been recently on the rise. In the two games, he played against Afghanistan, he took two wickets. 

Sandeep Lamichhane: Unarguably Nepal’s best player, Sandeep Lamichhane can take control of Nepal’s bowling innings during the middle phase. The leg-spinner is their most experienced player having played in franchise tournaments all over the world. In close to 50 ODI games, he has taken 111 wickets at an average of 17.26.

Karan KC: Karan KC’s right-arm medium pace will come in handy if Nepal even wants to cause any trouble to the Pakistani batters. 

Pakistan vs Nepal: Fantasy Team

Captain: Babar Azam | Vice-captain: Imam-ul-Haq

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan

Batters: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Rohit Kumar Paudel

Allrounder: Shadab Khan

Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC