Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed hit centuries and set challenging total of 342-6 against Nepal in the opening match of the Asia Cup in Multan on Wednesday, reports AFP.

Scores from the first: Pakistan 342-6 in 50 overs (Babar Azam 151, Iftikhar Ahmed 109 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 44; Sompal Kami 2-85, Karan Chhettri 1-54).

The six-nation Asia Cup is being co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, after India refused to tour Pakistan for political reasons.

Nepal is playing in the Asia Cup for the first time, after qualifying by winning the Asian Premier Cup in April.

Pakistan, India and Nepal are in Group A while defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in Group B.

Squads:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Nepal: Rohit Paudel (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aarif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.

Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul