TACTICAL PREVIEW
Follow UsWell, we are close to a month away from the World Cup, and there couldn’t have been a better way to build up to it than a multi-nation tournament. The Asia Cup might have begun as a means to shift the power centre from Europe to Asia - but off late, it has been used as a way to prepare for the quadrennial mega event.
The opening game in Multan will be Nepal’s maiden appearance in the Asia Cup. Both teams will be looking at this game differently. For the debutants, this would be their best shot at hogging some limelight. Pakistan, on the other hand, will want to find the missing pieces to their jigsaw puzzle before the World Cup commences.
Pakistan are entering the tournament on the back of a solid performance in the ODI series against Afghanistan less than a week ago. It also helps that the two teams fought it out in Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s hosting partner for the Asia Cup. The ACC Men’s Emerging Cup in Sri Lanka was when Nepal last played this format. Rohit Paudel will be hoping that his men put up a strong show against the big dogs.
Things to watch out for
Shaheen ‘Shine’ Afridi
If last month’s game between Nepal and Pakistan A was anything to go by, expect Pakistani pacers to run through the Nepalese batting lineup in no time. In the Emerging Cup fixture, Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani pocketed nine wickets amongst themselves, the latter ending his spell with a five-fer.
Shaheen Afridi, in particular, will be more than a handful for the opposition batters if he gets into his rhythm early on. The ODI series against Afghanistan saw him in decent wicket-taking form, taking a couple of wickets in each of the three encounters. He’ll want to keep himself in good stead ahead of the marquee clash against India on September 2.
Nepal’s batting depth
Nepal have a plethora of all-rounders to choose from and have a batting depth that would make many a top-flight team go green with envy. From Dipendra Singh Airee to Gulsan Jha to Karan KC, they have multiple players who can add value with both the bat and ball. While facing a formidable Pakistani batting depth, Nepal will want to have as much batting depth as possible to counter it.
Pakistan’s batting order
In Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan - Pakistan’s top 4 for the World Cup is more or less decided. At #5, they have multiple options to choose from, including Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel.
Saud’s recent form, coupled with the fact that he will help add some variety to an extremely right-handed batting lineup, makes a strong case for his inclusion. Although, Agha offers a few overs with his useful off-spin.
This might not be necessary against a team like Nepal, but it could come in handy in spin-friendly conditions and against potential matchups. Whichever way they go, the Pakistani think-tank will want to give their designated #5 enough game time ahead of the World Cup.
Pitch and Conditions
Multan was easily the most even-sided surface on offer in the last edition of the Pakistan Super League. While the other venues saw teams register scores in excess of 180 for fun - Multan offered assistance to new ball bowlers before batters took charge post the powerplay. A bright, sunny morning with some moderate breeze is expected on match day.
Pakistan have won the last five games in Multan, while the 10 ODIs played here have seen teams batting first and second win five apiece. Given the movement the new ball generates under lights, expect the toss-winning team to want to bat first.
Tactical Nous
Expect Pakistan to frontload their pacers by bowling them upfront to Nepal. It wouldn’t be entirely out of the blue if they also decide to bring Faheem Ashraf into the XI for a new ball burst. He might not be as pacy as his fellow pacers, but his ability to move the ball prodigiously can be helpful in troubling the Asia Cup debutants.
Nepal will hope that their mainstays, Aasif Sheikh and Karan KC, are fit and rearing to go in the tournament opener. Both of them didn’t feature in Nepal’s last game against UAE in the Emerging Cup.
Apart from the duo, Nepal will be banking on the youngster Gulsan Jha. The teenager has arguably been Nepal’s best find in the recent past. A solid left-hander with the bat and a pacy right-armer with the ball, how can you not like him? What’s more, he’s only 17. He’ll have to play a big role if Nepal are to cause an upset or two.
Probable XIs
Nepal: Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Arjun Saud, Kushal Malla, Rohit Paudel (C), Bhim Sarki, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
