In the first match of the 2024 Asia Cup, Pakistan grabbed a dominant victory over Nepal. The dominant role played in the win surrounded the Pakistani captain Babar Azam and his senior compatriot Iftikhar Ahmed. While it was unexpected for the experienced players to step-up, Iftikhar had to take up the rather unexpected position.
Though, there still remains the contention on his position in the team, the 15th ODI performance of the star would surely have tilted the balance in his favour.
It is his age which remains a question against his performance in the scenario. In the match situation, the conditions shouldn’t have reached such a point looking at the batting lineup before him.
With the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan coming before with their utmost reliable batting style, the run through of the match turned out to be highly unanticipated. Their Top 3 has contributed 55% of their team’s runs, which is most by any other current top order. This was only the second time the cricketer faced more than 41 balls, showing the depth in their batting.
Collapse of Pakistan’s top-order
With the confidence the World No.1 ODI team hosts right now, the top order of Pakistan was expected to grind the bowler’s of the Nepalese team in the humid setting of Multan. However, some constant ways of dismissals and a pair of run outs led to the early walk-in of the middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed. He came to the crease during the 28th over which was revealed to be the earliest since his debut in 2015.
Iftikhar, in the post match presentation explained how it’s usually the first three players who take the game deep for the men in green. However, it expressed being thoroughly grateful for the unforeseen opportunity, allowing him to display greater skills and patience on the greens. While hard hitting remains his focus, he also has his mind set on any new adaptations required due to probable collapse of the line-up prior to him. The all-rounder also described the change to be effective in how deep he needs to play in the crease alongside his front leg movement.
Crucial non-striker support presented by the captain of Pakistan
With only Babar remaining from the top order and the entry of the lower order soon onto the field, Pakistan needed to recover from 124 for 4 to a more stable stage for a competitive score. Iftikhar’s needed role in the scenario surrounded doing one of the hardest things of a hitter: hang around. However, the batsman gave credit to his captain who provided him a sense of support during the tough conditions. Nepal’s troubled fielding and loose balls also helped his case.
He mentioned in his press conference about how Babar is a world class player and with how effectively he rotates the strike, the pressure automatically transfers to the opposition team. His response was simple to the questions, stating how Babar asked him to stay calm during the tricky situations, bringing in fun chats. Explaining the adjusting situation to the conditions, he expressed how the captain helped me understand the bowling techniques rather easily.
Iftikhar’s impeccable maiden ton in the International arena
While Babar Azam is a name time and again associated with the Pakistani cricket team, yesterday it was the veteran player Iftikhar Ahmed who left his mark. Achieving his first ODI century, Ahmed made a bold statement with his bat. Till 38th over was rolling in, he had managed to make only 36 runs. But in came the final phase of the game, and out went the docile approach to the game from the batter’s end. He executed 73 runs from the last 37 balls.
The penultimate over of Karan KC helplessly witnessed the cricketer deliver humongous 4 and then 6, which edged the total to 97. Finally, a shot to short third helped the score cross the century mark. Given the point at which this score was accumulated for the Pakistani team, it was only natural for Iftikhar Ahmed to express his joy over the same.
He said that to get a 100 is a dream come true, but to achieve this feat at number six is even more staggering. This made the cricketer really happy. However, his joy did not stop him from praising the Nepalese team and their dedication. Even fans acknowledged the efforts from both fronts.
Fans showered the home team with unmatchable love
The illuminated city of Multan received a good number of spectators. While the support for the home team was evident, the guests also garnered quite a cheer. Concerning the former, the chants of “Ifti Chacha ” with love and admiration ran wild throughout the stadium. It was out of the ordinary for the 32-year-old to perform the way he did yesterday, and fans appeared to acknowledge the same. Interesting is the fact that this enthusiasm was displayed by the Pakistani audience, while their favourite Babar Azam was on the other end at a mammoth 150.
Thus, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that the hot climate of Multan was least of the concerns of fans, as they were all about the Ifti-mania! Now, the Pakistani team moves to Sri Lankan soil to meet their arch rivals, India. Although the game already receives a lot of attention from media and professionals, fans will also be looking forward to the tough competition.
