PAK vs NEP Match Preview

Pakistan has enjoyed a successful campaign in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, triumphing in six out of the nine matches they have contested. The latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings place them as the second-best team in the ODIs. Under the leadership of the formidable Babar Azam, the team boasts a robust batting line-up, featuring talents such as Imam Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan.

The inclusion of all-rounders, namely Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed, bolsters their batting and provides additional spin options, which will prove advantageous on the Multan pitch. The absence of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez in the middle order will be felt, and the team lacks a specialist spinner, as Usama Mir has limited experience on the international stage.

However, their pace attack is arguably the strongest among all teams. Shaheen Shah Afridi will spearhead the attack, having been one of the top bowlers in the limited overs format in recent times. He will be partnered by Naseem Shah as the new ball bowler, while Haris Rauf is expected to be the third seamer.

Over the course of the past year, Nepal has engaged in a significant amount of cricket and has achieved notable success. The team successfully advanced to the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, where they emerged victorious against formidable opponents such as the USA and UAE, and also demonstrated commendable performances against stronger teams such as the hosts and Ireland.

As they prepare for their upcoming tournament, Nepal is determined to surpass their previous accomplishments. The retirement of Gyanendra Malla has created a significant gap in the team's batting line-up, but this presents an opportunity for young players such as Bhim Sharki and Pratis GC to showcase their abilities.

Kushal Bhurtel will play a crucial role at the top of the order, alongside Aarif Sheikh, while Rohit Paudel, Aasif Sheikh, and Dipendra Singh Airee will provide strength to the middle order. Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane are the two most experienced bowlers on the squad and will receive support from Gulsan Jha, Kishore Mahato, and Mousom Dakal.

Pakistan has enjoyed a successful campaign in the One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, triumphing in six out of the nine matches they have contested. The latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings place them as the second-best team in the ODIs. Under the leadership of the formidable Babar Azam, the team boasts a robust batting line-up, featuring talents such as Imam Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan.

The inclusion of all-rounders, namely Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Iftikhar Ahmed, bolsters their batting and provides additional spin options, which will prove advantageous on the Multan pitch. The absence of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez in the middle order will be felt, and the team lacks a specialist spinner, as Usama Mir has limited experience on the international stage.

However, their pace attack is arguably the strongest among all teams. Shaheen Shah Afridi will spearhead the attack, having been one of the top bowlers in the limited overs format in recent times. He will be partnered by Naseem Shah as the new ball bowler, while Haris Rauf is expected to be the third seamer.

Weather Report

It is anticipated that there will be an abundance of sunshine and the temperature will persist in the upper 30s. 

 

Pitch Report

The cricket pitch located in Multan is known to be conducive to batting and has witnessed several high-scoring matches in the past. The team that bats first will strive to achieve a score as close to 300 runs as feasible. It is imperative for the fast bowlers to maintain their line and length, failing which they may concede runs. The pitch tends to slow down during the second innings, thereby providing an opportunity for spin bowlers to extract turn. 

 

Notable stats

Karan KC: Potential Value Pick

Karan KC is Nepal’s most successful pacer in the ODIs. He has picked up 73 wickets in 46 matches at a strike rate of 27.7. His economy rate is good too, at 5.25 runs per over.

Team News

Both teams have fully fit squads at their disposal. 

 

PAK vs NEP Probable 11

PAK Playing 11

  • Fakhar Zaman
  • Babar Azam (C)
  • Imam Ul-Haq
  • Mohammad Rizwan (Wk)
  • Mohammad Nawaz
  • Shadab Khan
  • Mohammad Haris
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Haris Rauf
  • Naseem Shah
  • Usama Mir

NEP Playing 11

  • Aarif Sheikh
  • Aasif Sheikh (Wk)
  • Kushal Bhurtel
  • Rohit Paudel (C)
  • Kushal Malla
  • Dipendra Singh Airee
  • Karan KC
  • Gulsan Jha
  • Sandeep Lamichhane
  • Bhim Sharki
  • Sompal Kami
This is not the official playing 11 for the match. This is a prediction of the expected playing 11 for each team based on the writers analysis.

Dream11 Prediction

We are backing Pakistan to win this match. They have a much stronger team in a player-to-player comparison with Nepal. The latter is featuring in its first major ICC tournament since the 2014 T20 World Cup and is likely to have the jitters as they face a much stronger opposition. 

 

Top Picks

Babar Azam: Babar Azam will be the most important batsman in the Pakistan batting line-up. He has scored 5089 runs in ODIs at an average of 58.49 and has a strike rate of 89.20.

Shaheen Shah Afridi: Afridi is one of the best seamers that Pakistan has produced in recent years. He has picked up 10 wickets in 5 ODIs this year at an average of 20.50.

Sandeep Lamichhane: Sandeep Lamichhane is the most successful bowler in ODIs in 2023. He has picked up 42 wickets in 19 matches at a strike rate of 25.90 and has an economy rate of 4.63 runs per over. 

 

PAK vs NEP Dream11 Team 1

Keeper: M Rizwan, Asif-Sheikh

Batters: B Azam (C), I Haq, K Bhurtel, F Zaman

All-rounders: S Khan (VC), D Singh-Airee

Bowlers: S Afridi, S Lamichhane, H Rauf

PAK vs NEP Dream11 Prediction - OCB Team Prediction