Iftikhar Ahmed showcased his brute power and strength, and his class, as he smashed his maiden ODI hundred on Wednesday at the Multan Cricket Stadium in the Asia Cup 2023 opener against Nepal.
Iftikhar Ahmed notched up his maiden ODI ton in only 67 balls en route to plundering 109 unbeaten runs in 71 balls, playing the perfect batting partner’s role to his skipper Babar Azam, who raised his 19th ODI century, scoring 151 runs in 131 balls.
Having elected to bat first, Pakistan found themselves in a bit of a pickle at the score of 124/4 in the 28th over as Nepal fielders effected two sensational direct-hit run-outs.
Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, however, spoiled all and any plans of Nepal in making an upset on the country’s debut outing in the Asia Cup. The pair was steady early. While Iftikhar Ahmed crashed boundaries from his end, Babar remained steady and ticked off runs until he reached his three-figure scores. Both the right-handers then exploded in the last 10 overs of the innings.
They took Pakistan’s score of 213 in 40 overs to end up the innings with a big total of 342.
Fondly known as “Ifti Chachu” by Pakistani fans, the 32-year-old Iftikhar Ahmed crashed a flurry of boundaries and was joined by Babar Azam in it too. The duo made full use of the ordinary bowling and even poorer fielding efforts from the Nepal players, with the small boundaries in Multan further coming to their aid.
Overall, Iftikhar Ahmed walloped 11 fours and 4 sixes while Babar cracked 14 fours and 4 sixes.
Fans on Twitter (now X) erupted and marveled over Iftikhar Ahmed’s boundary-hitting ability:
– 109* runs
– 71 balls
– 11 fours
– 4 sixes
– 153.52 strike rateIftikhar Ahmed’s maiden ODI ton was an entertaining one! 💥 #AsiaCup #AsiaCup2023
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 30, 2023
Pakistan in first 27.5 overs: 124/4
Pakistan in next 22.1 overs: 218/2
What a comeback by Pakistan led by Babar Azam 151(131) & iftikhar Ahmed 109*(71) – a partnership to remember. pic.twitter.com/SKh5XjbHda
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 30, 2023
Iftikhar Ahmed is a completely different batter when he has considerable overs to bat in ODIs. Came in 28th over today and scored a 67-ball 100 (joint-fifth fastest for Pakistan). Came in 19th over against NZ and scored 94 not out off 72 balls. Genuine middle-order batter.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) August 30, 2023
Hundred for Iftikhar Ahmed…!!!!
Hundred from just 67 balls, what a knock in the first match of the Asia Cup 2023 – this is the maiden hundred in International cricket. pic.twitter.com/TZyXb1SWKr
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 30, 2023
Babar Azam's fifty came in 72 balls,
Iftikhar Ahmed scored century in 67 balls🙂Ifti Chachu not done, you given the hopes then backstabbed ☹️ #PAKvNEP pic.twitter.com/Hc1fZYc3LP
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) August 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/Bharatslumdog/status/1696865714475569544?s=20
Last 20 Overs – 203/4 ( 20 Fours & 8 Sixes)
Courtesy – Babar Azam & Iftikhar Ahmed
Nepal Need 343 Runs in 50 overs. pic.twitter.com/E1XLjjeK04
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) August 30, 2023
Maiden ODI ton for Iftikhar Ahmed! Top start for Asia Cup for Pakistan, they need middle order to get some big and key runs and Ifti Chacha has just done that, it's come in real quick time too! Well played.
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 30, 2023
Maiden ODI hundred for Iftikhar Ahmed.
Iftikhar brings up his century off just 67 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes. pic.twitter.com/6Klr7GzLGC
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) August 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/kingbabararmy/status/1696874403492209143?s=20
WHAT A WAY TO SCORE YOUR FIRST ODI HUDNRED. IFTIKHAR AHMED, TAKE A BOW 🔥🔥 #AsiaCup2023 #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/AujIWe1jir
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 30, 2023
Iftikhar Ahmed:
50 off 43 balls
then
59 off 28 balls#AsiaCup23 #IftiMania #PAKvNEP— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1696874452376514588?s=20
2nd ODI fifty for Iftikhar Ahmed from 43 balls. #AsiaCup2023 #PAKvNEP pic.twitter.com/5Nj3xhLAVd
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) August 30, 2023
After Pakistan’s innings concluded, in the mid-innings interview, Iftikhar Ahmed touched on the pitch gripping a bit when he started his batting to get easier to bat on later on.
He said: “Century is an achievement for a player, obviously I am very happy. Ball was gripping when I went in, so you need to give time for yourself to get set. Babar is a great player, World No. 1 player. It’s an awesome feeling to bat with him. He rotates strike very well and we discussed about scoring a boundary when we get a loose ball. The wicket got better to bat on as the innings progressed.
