'Class apart' - Twitter in awe as Babar's brilliance, Iftikhar's demolition job push Pakistan to 342/6
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed's brilliant tons helped Pakistan to reach a great total in the opener of the Asia Cup against Nepal.
Pakistan took on Nepal in their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener. Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat first at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
The Pakistani side faced an early setback, with their opening batters falling cheaply. Fakhar Zaman contributed 14 runs and offered an easy catch to the wicketkeeper, while Imam-ul-Haq could score only five and was run out, courtesy of Rohit Paudel's brilliant fielding.
However, the match took a turn as Babar Azam took charge, partnering with Mohammad Rizwan before the latter was run out. The game's standout moment arrived with Babar Azam's remarkable century – a testament to his skill in ODIs.
Babar's entry at number three was pivotal, recovering Pakistan from their shaky start and steering the innings towards a daunting total. At 25 for two, his partnership with Rizwan marked the turning point. Later, Iftikhar Ahmed joined Babar, and together, they had an impressive partnership of 214 runs for the fifth wicket, scoring runs at will. Hard hitter Iftikhar also scored his maiden ODI hundred and helped Pakistan reach 342/5 in their 50 overs.
Babar Azam's 19th century and Iftikhar Ahmed's maiden ODI century was the highlight of the match, setting off a flurry of reactions on Twitter as fans celebrated their brilliant achievements.
Babar’s classy knock of 151 included fourteen fours and four sixes, while Iftikhar's brutal hundred included eleven fours and four maximums. Babar's innings showcased the captain's resilience and capability to lead his team out of challenging situations, while Iftikhar showcased brute force towards the end of the innings.
Now, Nepal will have to score 343 if they want to win this match, which will be extremely difficult against a fiery bowling lineup of Pakistan. Fans will be eager to see if they put up a fighting spirit or if Pakistan will wrap them up quickly to start their Asia Cup campaign on a positive note.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Babar Azam 🐐100*
— 👑 (@lightning_buzz) August 30, 2023
Babar Azam! 🐐
— J J (@theAbsoluteJJ) August 30, 2023
the Pillar, the Backbone, the Saviour. pic.twitter.com/IhZh3O0xol
- 19 ODI hundreds.
— Amit Singh 🇮🇳❣️ (@KR_AMIT007) August 30, 2023
- 9 Test hundreds.
- 3 T20I hundreds.
31st International hundred for Pakistan Captain Babar Azam, champion showing his class in the first match of the Asia Cup. pic.twitter.com/ADhJjdDjLY
What do you say about the man that hasn’t already been said. Effortless Babar Azam 🙌
— Hijab Zahid (@hijaaaaab) August 30, 2023
King babar azam century#19. 1in Asia cup. U beauty #babaram pic.twitter.com/l6f4W9U5mD
— umer sabir (@umereesabir) August 30, 2023
31 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 #BabarAzam #GOAT𓃵 #PAKvsNEP
— Vivek (@mrrUnstable) August 30, 2023
Just another day at the office for Babar Azam. Koi selfish knock nahi bolega 👊🏻👍🏻#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/HwoE3DVlno
— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) August 30, 2023
100 by #BabarAzam ❤️#PAKvNEP #AsiaCup23 pic.twitter.com/DMRJM3RKmk
— DAYS LEFT IN WORLD CUP (@SYourcrush) August 30, 2023
Babar Azam's another century against associate teams
— Sunil the Cricketer (@1sInto2s) August 30, 2023
Cong Babar azam for ur 19 hundred.take a bow man..
— #ہاں میں_بھی_باغی_ہوں# (@Fakhar_khan7) August 30, 2023
🥰🥰👏👏🌞#PAKvsNEP
Another 💯 by Babar Azam#AsiaCup2023 #BabarAzam #PAKvsNEP pic.twitter.com/Zdr8XFl9kr
— Ali Shah (@SyedAhmad4993) August 30, 2023
1⃣0⃣0⃣ off 6⃣7⃣ balls for Iftikhar Ahmed 🤯
— CricShell (@cricshell) August 30, 2023
1st ODI century with SR of 150!!#PAKvsNEP #AsiaCup2023 #IftiMania #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/Aqihmefqh2
Chacha is on Fire 🔥
— JahanZaib (@JahanZaibb_) August 30, 2023
1st maiden ODI century for Iftikhar.#PAKvsNEP | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/P0kRitoUyY
Iftikhar 100
— Mohammad Salahuddin (PTI) (@Salahuddin0336) August 30, 2023
Another century from iftikhar😍🎊🎊🎊🎊#PAKvNEP #AsiaCup2023 #BabarAzam #iftimania
— EshaMalik❤️ (@Eshawasim1) August 30, 2023
Chacha Iftikhar zindabad 100 😍💪#PAKvsNEP
— Aryan Khan (@iamaryankhattak) August 30, 2023
What a deserved century from iftikhar wow
— Zeeshan (@ZeeshanMalik__) August 30, 2023
101* for Iftikhar Ahmed 😭😭❤️❤️❤️
— A. 🇵🇰 (@AemanRasheed_) August 30, 2023
CHAMPPP pic.twitter.com/sOgY899V12
Maiden ODI hundred for Iftikhar Ahmed!
— MA (@coverpoint_) August 30, 2023
A very special knock in just 67 balls.
Love his straight sixes always.
We all know his strength at the death.
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