NEW DELHI: Pakistan will begin their campaign in the Asia Cup on Wednesday taking on Nepal in Multan's sweltering heat as multi-team international cricket returns to the country after nearly 15 years.
It has been a long, rough road for Pakistan cricket ever since the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, 2009.
Which is why, the four matches of the Asia Cup being held in the country hold great significance for Pakistan, who have also been awarded the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Pakistan, who recently rose to No. 1 in ODI rankings after a clean sweep of the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, should win comfortably against Nepal, who are playing their first Asia Cup.
Here's everything you need to know about the Asia Cup opener between Pakistan and Nepal:
What: Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 1st Match
When: August 30 (Wednesday)
Where: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Time: 3 pm (IST)
Where to watch: Live stream/telecast on Disney+Hotstar and Star Sports Network
Where to follow Live: Timesofindia.com/sports
Playing XI:
Pakistan XI: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
Nepal XI (Likely): Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Saud, Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Jha, Pratis GC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Kishore Mahato, Mousom Dhakal.
