Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan registered a personal milestone in Men in Green's 238-run victory against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener on Wednesday in Multan.
Ever since making his ODI debut against West Indies in 2017, he has been one of the most important players of the Pakistan team and has performed in all the big tournaments.
Khan had his breakthrough after a memorable 2017 Champions Trophy campaign, especially in the final vs. India, when he removed Yuvraj Singh with an LBW.
Over the years, he has improved consistently and at just the age of 24, one can say that he is only going to improve.
Shadab, 24, took four wickets for 27 runs against Nepal today and recorded his best bowling figures.
The 24-year-old beat his previous best record of 28/4 which was against Zimbabwe in 2018.
His third best was against Zimbabwe as well where he took 32/4 and the fourth best of 38/4 was against New Zealand.
Shadab has not only performed with the ball but over the years, he has come in handy with the bat as well.
The leg-spinner has scored 1594 runs in 91 innings across all formats while playing in the lower-middle-order.
On the other hand, Pakistan recorded their highest and Asia Cup's second highest-margin victory against Nepal.
India currently hold the record for the biggest-margin victory of 256 runs against Hong Kong in 2008.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's 238-run win over Nepal is now the second-highest in the tournament's history.
The remaining victories in the top five are also of Pakistan's. 233 and 173-run win against Bangladesh in 2000 and 1988 respectively and another 173-run victory against Hong Kong in 2004.
The Asia Cup 2023 is being held in Pakistan, who are the hosts, and Sri Lanka between August 30 and September 17.
Pakistan are in Group A alongside Nepal and India. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are in Group B.
Four matches will be played in Pakistan, while nine, including the final, will be played in Sri Lanka.
The T20 and ODI formats have alternated at the Asia Cup since 2016. The 2023 edition will be played in the 50-over format in order to help the teams prepare for the World Cup in India later this year.
India are the defending champions of the 50-over Asia Cup, which was last held in 2018.
- Shadab Khan
