The Asia Cup 2023 got underway in Multan with co-hosts Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30. This is one of the four matches that will be played in Pakistan.
The remainder of the matches including the ones involving India will be played in Sri Lanka including the final on September 17.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bat first. This was also Nepal’s debut in the Asia Cup and their first ODI against Pakistan.
The Men in Green started decently, with Fakhar Zaman scoring a quick 14 before getting out to Karan KC. And then they lost Imam Ul Haq for 5 runs, who was run out thanks to a direct hit by Rohit Paudel.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam got together for the rescue act and slowly built a very good partnership. They added 86 runs for the third wicket and then Rizwan needlessly lost his wicket due to his folly.
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In the 24th over bowled by Sandeep Lamichhane, Rizwan pushed the ball towards cover and set off for a quick single. However, Dipendra Singh Airee was quick to react and picked up the ball and threw it at the bowling end in one swift motion.
Replays showed that Rizwan had taken evasive action to get out of the line of the throw, which meant that he got no part of his body or bat inside the crease.
Rizwan straightened up just as he was reaching the crease, the single was clearly on and some needless ball-watching has led to him losing his wicket.
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Meanwhile, India spinner R Ashwin was surprised by Mohammad Rizwan’s carelessness and reacted to the dismissal on social media.
“The height of the throw made it harder to evade for Rizwan but for someone who generally dives to make his ground all the time while running between the wickets, this is a rare instance of him ducking for cover and the only reason is that he isn’t wearing his helmet. He loves sweeping against spin and no helmet makes it even more bizarre,” Ashwin posted on X.
