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Babar Azam<\/a> was all fired up in the Asia Cup 2023 opener against Nepal in Multan on Wednesday. While he began on a slow note, he battled cramps and grew gradually in confidence, the result was a 131-ball 151, consisting four sixes and 14 fours. Babar Azam (151) and Iftikhar Ahmed<\/a>‘s (109 not out) centuries fired Pakistan to a huge 342 for 6. This was after Pakistan made an unimpressive start to their innings as they lost both the openers early.<\/p>\n While Fakhar Zaman<\/a> (14) showed intent initially, he failed to carry on as he was brilliantly caught by a diving Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh<\/a> off the bowling of Karan KC<\/a> in the sixth over.<\/p>\n Pakistan suffered yet another blow soon when Imam-ul-Haq<\/a> was found short of the crease while attempting a single that was not for the taking. A direct throw from Nepal captain Rohit Paudel<\/a> ended his innings. Babar was then joined at the crease by wicket-keeper batter Rizwan and the duo stabilised Pakistan’s innings.<\/p>\n While Babar played the role of an anchor, Rizwan showed his attacking instincts during the 86-run stand for the third wicket which came off 111 balls.<\/p>\n But the start of their partnership was far from rosy as the duo struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking initially with Pakistan reaching 50 in the 12th over.<\/p>\n The Pakistani duo kept the scoreboard ticking with ones and two thereafter and hit the bad balls to the boundary to bring up the team’s 100 in the 22nd over.<\/p>\n Just when he was looking threatening, Rizwan fell to a direct hit at the non-striker’s end by Dipendra Singh Airee<\/a> in search of a quick single. Rizwan paid the price for not grounding his bat, something not acceptable at the highest level.<\/p>\n While Babar kept one end steady, Salman Agha (5) failed to trouble the scorers much, falling prey to Sandeep Lamichhane<\/a>.<\/p>\n Babar brought up his fifty with a double in the 29th over.<\/p>\n But Iftikhar’s arrival gave the much-needed boost to Pakistan’s innings as he played aggressively from the onset.<\/p>\n Iftikhar’s approach seemed to have inspired Babar as well as he too opened up his arms thereafter and found the boundaries at will.<\/p>\n Babar brought up his ton off 109 balls in the 42nd over.<\/p>\n The duo, especially Iftikhar, toyed with the Nepalese bowlers as it rained fours and sixes at will from there on. Iftikhar brought up his maiden ton off just 67 balls.<\/p>\n Babar Azam’s 151 is the highest score by a captain in Asia Cup. Babar Azam is also the fastest to score 19 centuries – which is a world record. He reached the mark in 102 innings, while Hashim Amla<\/a> had reached the mark in 104 innings. Virat Kohli<\/a> is the third fastest to the mark in 124 innings.<\/p>\n Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed 214-run stand is the third highest partnership for any wicket in Asia Cup.<\/p>\n “Babar is a great player, World No. 1 player. It’s an awesome feeling to bat with him. He rotates strike very well and we discussed about scoring a boundary when we get a loose ball. The wicket got better to bat on as the innings progressed,” Iftikhar Ahmed said after the knock.<\/p>\n With PTI inputs<\/p>\n