Pakistan will face Nepal in the first match of the Asia Cup at the Multan Cricket Stadium today (Wednesday) at 02:30 pm. The green team will fly to Sri Lanka on August 31 to play India in the second Group-A match on September 2 at Kandy, Sri Lanka.

The opening ceremony of the continental tournament will be held in which renowned singers Aima Baig and Nepalese Trishala Gurung will perform.

Pakistan have already announced their playing XI for today’s match.

The stadium in Multan makes its debut as a venue in international cricket by hosting today’s game of the tournament. Nepal, as a team, makes its debut in the continental tournament. It is also a maiden contest between Pakistan and Nepal at the top level.

The venue will also host the third and final match of the group between India and Nepal on 4 September.

Earlier, Pakistan announced its playing eleven for the match which includes Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

Pakistan enters the Asia Cup which begins later this month as the top ODI team. They will then compete in the ODI World Cup scheduled to be held in India in October-November.

Pakistan is ranked fourth and sixth in T20Is and Tests, respectively.