Pakistan were in a spot of bother early in their innings when both their openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq were dismissed with the team score reading 25. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan stitched an 86-run partnership for the third wicket that rescued the Pakistan innings.

However, two quick wickets between the scores of 111 and 124 meant that Pakistan were in a tricky situation for the second time in the innings. Iftikhar, who was dropped in the third match of the ODI series against Afghanistan, was back in the XI for the Asia Cup opener and made his way out to the middle at No.6.

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He took his time initially, reaching 16 off 19 balls before starting to accelerate. His next 24 balls fetched 34 runs as he reached his fifty in the 42nd over of the innings, off 43 balls.

It was after crossing 50 that he threw caution to the wind. His next 24 balls saw him hit seven fours and three sixes as he scored 51 runs off them to reach his maiden international century.

Iftikhar got to the three-figure mark with a slice over short third, and was ecstatic in his celebration, pumping both fists aggressively with bat in one and helmet in the other. He finished unbeaten on 109 off 71 balls at a strike rate of 153.52.

Watch Iftikhar Ahmed reach his first international hundred | Asia Cup 2023

Iftikhar Ahmed has his first ODI hundred 🇵🇰🙌

Look what it means 😍 pic.twitter.com/WBDHtLXONZ

— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) August 30, 2023