Pakistan vs Nepal Prediction: Pakistan are going as the favourites but Nepal has been pretty well recently

Pakistan will be facing off against Nepal in the first game of the Asia Cup at Multan International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan are going as the favourites but Nepal has been pretty well recently. Who will win this game?

The most recent occasion Pakistan clinched the Asia Cup was back in 2012. Since then, they have secured the runner-up position twice, including the previous season, yet the ultimate championship has eluded them for over ten years. With a formidable lineup this season, Pakistan holds a significant chance of claiming the title for the third time.

In the realm of ODIs this year, Pakistan has showcased a commendable performance, emerging victorious in 6 out of the 9 matches they have contested. According to the latest ICC rankings, they currently hold the second-best standing in ODIs. Under the leadership of the resilient Babar Azam, the team flaunts a robust batting order, featuring talents such as Imam Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan.

The inclusion of all-rounders, notably Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed, lends depth to their batting lineup and offers additional spin alternatives, a considerable advantage on the Multan pitch. The absence of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez's seasoned presence will be felt in the middle order. However, a lack of a specialized spinner might prove a challenge, given Usama Mir's limited experience on the international stage.

Nevertheless, the pace attack remains a prominent strength, possibly the finest among all competing teams. Leading the charge is Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has exhibited exceptional prowess in the limited overs format in recent times. Naseem Shah is set to join him as the new ball bowler, while Haris Rauf is anticipated to assume the role of the third seamer.

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

Nepal showcased an impressive performance in the 2023 ACC Men’s Premier Cup, securing the top position in Group A. Subsequently, they triumphed over Kuwait in the semifinals and UAE in the finals, earning a historic qualification for their inaugural appearance in the Asia Cup.

Positioned in the same group as cricket giants Pakistan and India, Nepal faces a formidable challenge and seeks to establish an early advantage.

Nepal has been deeply involved in cricket over the past year, garnering notable achievements. The team progressed to the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, where they emerged victorious against teams like the USA and UAE. Their commendable performance extended to battles with stronger opponents such as the hosts and Ireland.

Eager to continue their success, Nepal aspires to shine in this tournament. The retirement of Gyanendra Malla has indeed left a significant gap in the batting lineup, yet it presents an opportunity for emerging talents like Bhim Sharki and Pratis GC to showcase their skills.

Kushal Bhurtel is set to play a pivotal role at the top of the order, alongside Aarif Sheikh. The middle order will be bolstered by the contributions of Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee. Leading the bowling attack are the experienced duo of Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane, receiving support from Gulsan Jha, Kishore Mahato, and Mousom Dakal.

Arjun Saud(wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kishore Mahato, Pratis GC, Mousom Dhakal

The pitch at Multan is known for favouring batsmen and has hosted numerous high-scoring contests previously. Teams batting first will target a substantial total, aiming for the 300-run milestone. Fast bowlers must maintain their accuracy to avoid conceding runs freely. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to lose some of its pace, providing spinners an opportunity to extract turns. Sunny conditions are anticipated, with temperatures hovering around the high 30s. Although Nepal has shown promising performances lately, they are significantly outweighed by Pakistan in terms of both strength and experience. A comparison between the two teams would reveal a considerable gap, leading us to believe that Pakistan is poised to secure a relatively straightforward victory. Bet a high scoring game.