After opening their campaign with a convincing victory over Nepal on Wednesday, captain Babar Azam claimed his players will be fired up for Saturday’s Asia Cup showdown against bitter rivals India.
At the Multan Cricket Stadium, Iftikhar Ahmed scored an unbeaten 109 and Babar scored a masterful 151 to guide Pakistan to a dominating 342-6.
It was the third-largest victory in a one-day international for the co-hosts of the competition when they returned to bowl out Nepal, who were playing in their first Asia Cup, for 104 in 23.4 overs.
Babar, who was named Player of the Match for his 19th one-day hundred, noted that this game was as good practice for the match against India since it provided us confidence.
“The India-Pakistan relationship will always be intense. We intend to give our all in every game and hope to do so there as well.
Babar, the top-ranked ODI batsman, yet again demonstrated with his outstanding timing of his bat why he holds the top position in ICC ODI ranking.
Before Iftikhar joined the action, Pakistan lost both of their openers early, but Babar and Mohammad Rizwan who scored 44 and was run out due to a sloppy rworked together and made a good partnership.
Babar needed 72 balls to get his fifty, but he quickly picked up the pace and rushed to a 109-ball hundred. He batted in a T20 style after that, getting 51 runs off the next 22 balls he faced.
“When I went in, the ball wasn’t coming on properly, so I was trying to build an innings with Rizwan,” explained Babar.
“When Iftikhar came on, he also played a fantastic innings. I advised him to play his natural game when he first came in, and after hitting two or three boundaries, he was much more comfortable.
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Which team has won most Asia Cup?
| Year | Format | Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | ODI |  India |
| 1986 | ODI |  Sri Lanka |
| 1988 | ODI | India (2) |
| 1990 | ODI | India (3) |
| 1995 | ODI | India (4) |
| 1997 | ODI | Sri Lanka (2) |
| 2000 | ODI |  Pakistan |
| 2004 | ODI | Sri Lanka (3) |
| 2008 | ODI | Sri Lanka (4) |
| 2010 | ODI | India (5) |
| 2012 | ODI | Pakistan (2) |
| 2014 | ODI | Sri Lanka (5) |
| 2016 | T20I | India (6) |
| 2018 | ODI | India (7) |
| 2022 | T20I | Sri Lanka (6) |
| 2023 | ODI |
