Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed scored the fourth-fastest hundred in the history of the Asia Cup. The promising batter achieved this feat after smashing a ton in the Asia Cup 2023 curtain-raiser against Nepal in Multan on Wednesday. The 32-year-old scored his maiden hundred in the 50-over format of the game, as he struck an unbeaten 109 runs off 71 balls to help Pakistan post a massive total of 342-6 at the end of 50 overs.
The Men in Green lost Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman could not make an impact for the team at the top of the order, as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam alongside Mohammad Rizwan played sensibly after the two quick wickets in the powerplay, taking their time in the middle before putting pressure on the Nepal bowlers.
Iftikhar Ahmed joined the Pakistan captain Babar Azam in the 28th over after the dismissal of Salman Ali Agha, he showed a lot of composure to bat in the middle over of the game, as he batted exceedingly well to score his debut century on the home soil, as he attacked the Nepal bowlers with 11 boundaries and 4 sixes to propel the Pakistan side to a massive momentum shift at the end of their batting innings.
The 32-year-old is the fourth batter in the list behind former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi (53 balls), former Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya (55 balls), and former Indian middle order batter Suresh Raina (66 balls) in the list of the fastest centuries. Iftikhar Ahmed and Babar Azam’s partnership of 214 runs is the highest partnership for the fifth wicket in the Asia Cup.
Iftikhar Ahmed Has Taken The Opportunities At Times – Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan heaped praise on Iftikhar Ahmed for his maiden ODI hundred against Nepal on Wednesday on their home soil, The right-handed batter is one of the specialist players on the Pakistan team, who can take on bowlers from the start of his innings, playing the role of the finisher in the side.
“I think I cannot talk about Babar as he is a world-class player. But Iftikhar, the way he is batting for us in the last couple of years, it has been brilliant. He has taken the opportunities at times and played some crucial knocks. We all know how good a player he is. He is a great asset for us,” Shadab Khan said.
Pakistan bowlers were brilliant with the ball right from the start of the innings, as Shaheen Afridi was exceptional with new ball picking up 2 crucial wickets in the 1st over, while the Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan rattled the Nepal batters in the middle to wrap off the things for their side 23.4 overs and the Men in Green would look to continue their fine form going into the clash against arch-rivals India on Saturday.