PAK vs NEP: 3 Nepal cricketers who can shock Babar Azam and Co. in Asia Cup 2023 match

The curtain is ready to rise on the Asia Cup 2023 as it kicks off on Wednesday with an opening clash between Pakistan and Nepal. The stage for this exciting encounter is the Multan Cricket Stadium in Pakistan. While Pakistan stand as the clear favorites to emerge victorious, Nepal's latent capability to spring surprises on even top-tier teams adds an element of intrigue to the proceedings. The upcoming match promises to offer a captivating glimpse of how Pakistan confronts the challenge posed by an ascendant associate nation. 

3 things you need to know

• The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held from August 30 to September 17
• Both Pakistan and Nepal are in the same group as India
• India will play its opening match against Pakistan on September 2

Also Read: 'Don’t Say A Word To Him. I Repeat, Don’t': Ntini's World Cup Warning To SA On India Star

3 Nepal cricketers who can upset Pakistan

As the anticipation builds, let's delve into three Nepal players who have the potential to upset the plans of Babar Azam and his team, thereby reshaping the course of the match.

Rohit Paudel

Rohit Paudel has been appointed as the captain of Nepal for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Paudel has been an active participant in ODI cricket since August 2018. Impressively, he currently holds the title of the top run-scorer for his team in this format. Notably, Paudel took on the role of captaincy for Nepal in the Men’s Emerging Cup that concluded recently. The batsman showcased his abilities by contributing 78 runs in three matches during the tournament, which included a fifty against India A. 

Sandeep Lamichhane

Taking the lead in Nepal's spin attack during the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 is Sandeep Lamichhane. Lamichhane's familiarity with the conditions in Pakistan serves as an advantage, having previously represented Lahore Qalandars in the 2019 edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). During this stint, he impressed by securing 11 wickets in seven matches, sharing the title of Lahore's top bowler with Haris Rauf.

Kushal Bhurtel

The potential inclusion of Kushal Bhurtel as an opener for Nepal is generating attention. Since his international debut in 2021, Bhurtel has accumulated a total of 986 runs across 44 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), including a century and six half-centuries. Despite a less than satisfactory showing in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, where he managed 84 runs across five matches at a strike rate of 89.36, Bhurtel remains poised to overcome setbacks and make a significant impact in the forthcoming flagship event.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: Why India Vs Pakistan Clash In Pallekele Might Be Cancelled

Pakistan unveil playing XI

The Pakistan cricket team on Tuesday unveiled its playing XI for the opening match of the Asia Cup 2023. 

Pakistan's playing XI: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf

Image: PCB/ICC