Pakistan's Babar Azam (right) plays a shot as Nepal's Aasif Sheikh watches during the one-day international cricket match of Asia Cup between Pakistan and Nepal, in Multan, Pakistan, on Aug 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

ISLAMABAD - In the 2023 Cricket Asia Cup opening match, Pakistan defeated Nepal by a staggering 238 runs in Multan, Pakistan, on Wednesday night.

Facing the host's aggressive and tricky bowling attack, the visiting team was dismissed in just the 24th over.

Pakistan, having won the toss and electing to bat first, initially stumbled, losing four wickets at a score of 124 by the 28th over. However, a pivotal partnership of 214 runs between team captain Babar Azam and right-hand batsman Iftikhar Ahmed set Pakistan on course for a significant total.

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Ahmed showcased his skill with an unbeaten 109 runs off 71 balls, while Azam scored an impressive 151 runs off 131 balls, subsequently being named the man of the match.

Nepal's Aarif Sheikh plays a shot during the Asia Cup 2023 cricket match between Pakistan and Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Aug 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

In the post-match ceremony, the Pakistani captain said, "This game was good preparation for the India game because it gave us confidence. We want to give 100 percent every match, and hope to do that there as well."

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel commented, "We started well. We wanted to restrict them to under 240 with the ball but wicket-taking balls were not there in the middle overs, credit goes to Azam and their team as well. We need to learn more to improve in the death overs, and we need to do well with the ball."

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Pakistan and Nepal teams are set to travel to Sri Lanka, where they'll face India in Pallekele on September 2 and September 4, respectively.