‘Ab aagle match 0 par out’ - Fans react as Babar Azam smashes cracking century against Nepal in Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam smashed 151 runs against Nepal in the opening game of Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Green posted a mammoth total of 342/6 in 50 overs, thanks to Babar's incredible knock. Star finisher Iftikhar Ahmed scored his maiden ODI hundred in just 67 balls to take his side to a winning total. 

Although the talking point in the first innings was the Pakistani skipper's maiden hundred in Asia Cup, the No. 1 batter in the ODI rankings showed dominance with his batting skill as he scored his 31st International hundred. It was also the fourth highest for Pakistan in the 50-over format. Babar's innings included 14 fours and four sixes as he registered his highest ODI score. 

Babar Azam missed on breaking Virat Kohli's highest score record in Asia Cup 

It is pertinent to mention that the 28-year-old is playing in his sixth ODI game in the Asia Cup. After his hundred the top-order batter has recorded the highest run in an innings for Pakistan in Asia Cup history. Before this former skipper Mohammad Younis held this record with his 144 runs against Hong Kong during the 2004 edition. Babar with this feat, also recorded the second 150-plus knock in Asia Cup history, the first one to do it was Indian talisman Virat Kohli with his 183 runs against Pakistan in 2012. 

Babar anyway missed Kohli’s record by 32 runs as he was dismissed on 151 runs by Sompal Kami in the last over of the game. The most anticipated clash of Asia Cup 2023 is set to be on September 2 between India and Pakistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka. In this edition of the continental championship, there are a total of six teams contesting - Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. The tournament is set to be hosted jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka and is seen as the pre-battle ground for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. 

Here is how fans reacted:

Ab aagle match 0 pan out hoja 🤣

— Ajinkya.🏹🚩 (@aJinKyA3356) August 30, 2023

And once again on a highway... 🤣

— Shreyy (@Sadly_shrey) August 30, 2023

But still way behind our KING KOHLI 🔥🔥

— Sports Fan (@crazyforsports7) August 30, 2023

Great knock

— alphabetagama (@alphabetagama20) August 30, 2023

yeah against nepal

— Bala⁴⁵Rohit (@bala45_rohit) August 30, 2023

Number one for a reason 🔥

— The Second Act (@WahSaeenWah) August 30, 2023

Impressive. Modern day Pakistani legend

— Apurv Anand (@apurv_anand) August 30, 2023

yeah its possible , keep playing in flat tracks and against minnows

— Rahul🇮🇳 (@rahulhbti08) August 30, 2023