Read on the application
Pakistan will open their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Nepal on Wednesday, marking the return of the multi-team international cricket tournament to the country after nearly 15 years. Pakistan cricket has had a difficult journey since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009. Subsequently, Pakistan lost the rights to host the Champions Trophy as well as its co-hosting rights to the 2011 World Cup.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) and member nations did not want to tour Pakistan due to security concerns, preventing the country from playing home internationals against top-level teams for nearly eight years. That is why the four matches of the Asia Cup are very important for Pakistan, which has also been awarded the hosting rights of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Pakistan, who climbed to the top of the ODI rankings after a clean sweep of the ODI series against Afghanistan, should look to secure a comfortable win against Nepal in the scorching heat of Multan.
Asia Cup 2023: ‘If something goes…’, what Rizwan told Nepali cricketers, video
Nepal team is playing first Asia Cup. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Ere are the only two players from Nepal who have playing experience in the T20 league. Lamichhan has played here in Pakistan Super League, other than him, others don’t know the situation here. Nepal received ODI status in 2018 and are ranked 15th in the 50-over format, showing how close they are to realizing their dream of featuring in the 2027 World Cup.
The Nepalese team arrived in Pakistan a week ago and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the favorites to win the Asia Cup title. The Pakistan team will play only two matches at home, the remaining matches will be held in Sri Lanka, including the big tie against India. There will be a lot of heat and humidity and both teams will rely heavily on their spinners.