Kathmandu- Skipper Azhar Ali and Shoaib Malik impressive performance with the bat handed Pakistan big win of 121 runs against Nepal in the only 50- over practice match played at Abu Dhabi Oval 2 Ground, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday.
Pakistan fielded a strong team against Nepal- and skipper Ali, opening the batting, scored run a ball 73 runs, Shoaib Malik blasted 63 runs off just 49 balls, before both batsman retired themselves out, as Pakistan posted a mammoth 326 for 6 on the board after Nepal invited them to bat first, winning the toss.
Ahmed Shehzad 35 runs, Mohammad Hafeez 49 runs, Younis Khan 38 runs and Babar Azam 43* runs, chipped in with useful runs for Pakistan.
Pakistan had a bright start with Shehzad and Ali sharing 55 runs for the first wicket before Shehzad fell to Basant Regmi in the 12th over. Ali and Haffez then shared 103 runs for the second wicket that set the foundation for Pakistan to post a big total.
Shoaib and Babar Azam scored quick fire runs at the latter part of the innings. Shoaib 63 runs included five fours and two sixes while Azam’s 43 runs off 29 balls included four fours and two sixes.
Left arm spinner Basant Regmi picked up two wickets for Nepal while Sagar Pun and Skipper Paras Khadka got one wicket each.
Chasing a huge target, Nepal settled for 205 for 5 in 50 runs, knowing the target was out of each against Pakistan’s fierce bowling attack that included Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz.
In form,Anil Mandal scored 61 runs from 109 balls with four fours and a six for Nepal.He shared 49 runs for the first wicket with Subash Khakurel (29 runs), and 79 runs for the second wicket with Sagar Pun (39 runs).
Skipper Paras Khadka scored 13 runs before being caught behind by Sarfaraz Ahmed off Wahab Riaz. Gyanendra Malla, who got out in the second last ball of the game scored 41 runs off 52 balls. Anwar Ali took two wickets, Yasir Shah, Waha Riaz and Ahmed Shehzad picked one wicket for Pakistan.
Talking Point of the game– Nepal’s batting approach stood positive, once they knew 327 runs was not achievable against a very strong bowling unit of Pakistan. Anil Mandal continued his good form with another 50 plus score, though his strike rate was slow. Opening batsman s cored runs and Nepal didn’t allow Pakistan to take all their wicket. Overall, it’s a satisfactory result for Nepal.
