Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan heaped praise on Iftikhar Ahmed for his maiden ODI hundred against Nepal on Wednesday on their home soil. The 32-year-old was at his absolute best taking on the bowlers from the word go, to help their side post a massive total of 342-6 at the end of the 50 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed made full use of his opportunity in the campaign opener against Nepal, as he batted exceedingly well alongside the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the middle overs to take the innings deep. The right-handed batter batted brilliantly to remain unbeaten on 109 runs off just 71 balls to finish the innings on high for Pakistan in Multan.
Speaking after an emphatic win over Nepal, Shadab Khan hailed Iftikhar Ahmed for his impressive batting display against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener and lauded him for taking up the opportunity to do well for the team and praised their fast bowlers for being brilliant with new ball, providing wickets in the regular intervals.
“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.
“The platform our fast bowlers provided with the new ball was amazing. When they do, they bowl spell and they provide us wickets after wickets,” Shadab Khan added.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed formed a brilliant partnership in the final few overs including 129 runs in the final overs to help the Men in Green post a massive total at the end of 50 overs after being two down inside the powerplay on the Asia Cup opener.
But How Far We Are Playing Is Amazing, We Have Confidence In One Another – Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan feels that the conditions would be different in Sri Lanka, when they take on arch-rivals India in Kandy on September 2 and believes that this massive win against Nepal would give their side much-needed confidence going into the continental event.
“Definitely, conditions-wise, it may be different [on facing India in Kandy]. I think it is flatter in Multan, Kandy will be different. I don’t know, I am playing there for the first time[in Kandy] But how far we are playing is amazing, we have confidence in one another,” Shadab Khan further added.
The Men in Green put on a dominating show against Nepal in the group stage on their home soil, which acted as a preparation ground for the team before the high-octane India match. Babar Azam-led side will look to come over the top against India after putting up some impressive performance in the ODI format of the game.