Babar Azam-led Pakistan enters the tournament riding high on a 3-0 series victory against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Nepal’s journey into the showpiece event follows a less fortunate path as they come off a disappointing ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifier in Zimbabwe, where they managed to secure victories in only 2 out of 6 ODI matches.
Pakistan’s campaign will be spearheaded by captain Babar Azam, with Shadab Khan serving as his deputy. On the other hand, associate nation Nepal will be under the leadership of Rohit Paudel, with leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane poised to play a pivotal role for the team. Interestingly, this marks Nepal’s maiden ODI confrontation with a major cricketing nation, adding a sense of anticipation to the encounter.
This fixture also marks Nepal’s debut match at the Multan Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan holds a favorable record of 7 wins and 3 defeats. The home team’s latest series against West Indies in 2022 saw them clinch a whitewash victory. Notably, their three losses at this venue occurred in 2006 against India and West Indies, as well as in 2007 against South Africa.
Given the diverse weather conditions across the globe and the pivotal role of pitch conditions, let’s delve into the Multan Cricket Stadium pitch analysis and weather predictions ahead of the Pakistan vs Nepal clash in the Asia Cup 2023.
Multan Cricket Stadium Pitch Analysis:
The wickets at the Multan Cricket Stadium are known to favor slower bowlers as the match progresses, often challenging chasing teams. However, early innings’ batting has proven comfortable, with instances of successful run-scoring. The average first-innings score stands at 255 in men’s ODIs, with few matches surpassing the 300-run mark. Recent outings have seen initial innings scores exceeding 250, including a successful chase of a 300-plus target. Among the 10 ODIs held at this venue, five were won by chasing teams and five by teams defending totals. Recent statistics reveal one chasing team win and two first-batting wins.
Considering these dynamics, the toss-winning captain may opt to follow the prevailing pattern. Despite the competitive spirit, the home team’s superior prowess places them in the favorites’ position.
Multan Cricket Stadium Weather Forecast on Wednesday, August 30:
Anticipate scorching weather with abundant sunshine, resulting in a maximum temperature of 38°C at the match’s commencement (2:30 PM PKT), gradually cooling to 33°C by the game’s conclusion. Weather forecasts indicate no rain prospects throughout the day, ensuring an uninterrupted match without weather-related interruptions.
Also Read: About Asia Cup: A Cricketing Spectacle of Asian Excellence
Pakistan vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023 Match Details, Live Streaming & Telecast:
- Match Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
- Match Start Time: 3 PM IST
- Telecast Channel: Star Sports 1 SD and Star Sports 1 HD
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar
As these two cricketing nations lock horns on the field, the Multan Cricket Stadium’s conditions and the unyielding weather serve as intriguing elements that could influence the outcome of this exciting clash in the Asia Cup 2023.