PAK vs NEP: Nepal Playing XI vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023 - Predicted

Nepal is set to make their Asia Cup debut in Multan against Pakistan on 30th August.

Nepal will be creating history when they step onto the field at Multan Cricket Stadium and take on Asian giants Pakistan in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2023. Nepal has qualified for the big Asian cricket event for the first time in its history. They booked their place in group A along with two Asian giants, India and Pakistan. They will become the 8th nation to take part in the competition. Previously, along with 5 Asian test-playing nations, Hong Kong and UAE have taken part in this big stage.

Asia Cup will be a big exposure for Nepal players willing to show off their muscles on the big stage. Nepal will be taking on Pakistan in their Asia Cup debut, and then they play against India on September 4 at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Nepal, under a young captain named Rohti Paudel, will be looking to make an impact in the big Asian event. Let’s have a look at their predicted playing XI for their debut game in the tournament.

Nepal Predicted Playing XI 

1 . Kushal Bhartel 

The right-hand opening batter has been a permanent figure in Nepal’s batting lineup. Kushal Bhurtel has played 44 one-day internationals since his debut in 2021. Bhurtel has scored 986 runs at an average of 22.93, with a century and six fifties. Now, he will be taking on the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan in the opening game of the Asia Cup 2023. Bhurtel has scored 544 runs in 19 innings this year.

2 . Aasif Shaikh (wk) 

Nepal wicket-keeper Aasif Shaikh will be the opening partner for Kushal Bhurtel in Asia Cup. Shaikh and Bhurtel have been crucial figures in Nepal’s batting order. Shaikh, since his one-day international debut in 2021, has played 41 games for Nepal and scored 1187 runs at an average of 31.23, with a century and nine half-centuries in his career.

3 . Arjun Saud 

Nepal will be looking to field their young sensation, Arjun Saud, in the top order. Saud made his one-day international debut last year in November and has played nine ODI games so far. Saud showed great promise as a top-order batter and occasionally an opener. Saud has scored 174 runs in his nine innings, including one half-century.

4 .  Rohit Paudel (c)

Nepal’s mainstay in the batting order, Rohit Paudel, will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders along with the captaincy. Paudel has been a prolific run-getter for Nepal. Only 20-years-old Rohit Paudel has played 52 ODI games for his country. Paudel, with a century and eight half-centuries in his career, has smashed 1469 runs and will be taking up the crucial role of number 4.

5 . Bhim Sharki 

Right-handed middle-order batter Bhim Sharki has developed himself as a prominent member of Nepal middle-order batting. 21-year-old Sharki has played 17 ODIs so far in his career and scored 452 runs. Sharki’s average is 34.76, which proves his worth at the number 5 position in Nepal middle-order. Sharki made his one-day international debut last year in March.

6 . Kushal Malla 

Dashing left-hand batter and finisher in Kushal Malla, made his ODI debut at the age of just 16, and this is where he set the tone for his career after scoring a fifty in his maiden inning against USA. Kushal Malla will be playing as a number 5 batter and also as a part-time left-arm spinner on the team. Malla has played 27 ODIs and scored 626 runs in his career.

7 . Dipendra Singh Airee 

Along with young Kushal Malla, all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee will be there to accompany him as a finisher. Known for his all-round ability, Airee has played 50 ODI games for Nepal and scored 857 runs at an average of 19.93 with a century and three half-centuries in his career. Airee picked up 36 ODI wickets with his medium-pace bowling as well.

8 .  Sompal Kami 

Sompal Kami will be leading the charge in Nepal’s pace bowling attack in the Asia Cup 2023. Kami may not be in his wicket-taking form this year, but his ability to take wickets with the new ball will prove crucial for the team. Kami is also a decent batter, and he gives Nepal a suitable number 8 option as well. Kami has played 47 ODIs and picked up 63 wickets in his career.

9 . Sandeep Lamichhane 

Nepal’s spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has 111 wickets under his name in just 49 ODIs for his national side. He will be touching a milestone in his career in Multan and will become the third player to complete 50 matches for Nepal. Lamichhane will be the X-factor for this team, and a lot will depend on this man in Nepal’s first big assignment in history.

10 . Karan Khatri Chhetri  

Karan has become a pace sensation for Nepal. He has rattled most of the opposition batters with his pace and control in the one-day international format. Karan will be charging up to deliver fiery spells against Pakistan and India in Asia Cup 2023. He has played 46 ODIs and picked up 73 wickets in his ODI career.

11 . Pratish Gharti Chhetri 

With a heavy right-arm bowling attack, PratishGC provides variety in Nepal’s bowling line-up. Pratish, a left-arm pace bowler, has just made his ODI debut, and he is just 19 years old. He has booked his place in the playing XI for the variation he provides to the team and the movement he gets off the wicket. Pratish has played only three games in his career so far.

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