Legendary Pakistan Fast Bowler Shoaib akhtar has a challenge for the national team thrown prior to the Asia Cup 2025 End against India, it urges them to shed all the fear and to break the appearance that is around their arch rivals. The Blockbuster collision, planned for Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, will be the very first India-Pakistan final in the 41-year history of the tournament.
Both teams have already confronted twice in this edition, with India coming out as a victor on both occasions. Pakistan, however, bounced a road to the final with a narrow 11-run victory over Bangladesh in their last Super Four collision. Shaheen Shaheen Shaheen Afridi (3/17) and Haris Rauf (3/33) led a total of 135/8, led from the front to limit Bangladesh to 124/9. This victory not only sealed men in the place of Green in the Summit collision, but also increased some confidence in the camp. In the meantime, Akhtar believes that Pakistan must replicate the same fearless attitude against India.
“Come out of this mentality, keep their aura aside. Just break their aura. Just play with this mentality that you had in the match against Bangladesh. This is the kind of mentality you need. You don’t have to bowlen 20 overs; you just have to get wickets,” Akhtar said on PTV Sports’ Game on Hai Show.
Mark my words, if Abhishek gets out early, they will get into trouble: Shoaib akhtar
The former Pacer believes that Pakistan has the firepower to defeat India, and points out that Shaheen Afridi is the world’s best fast bowler, while Rauf’s pace is the differentiator. Akhtar also revealed that the early dismissal of Abhishek Sharma will be important. The young opener is the striking performer of India in the tournament and scored against both Pakistan and Bangladesh. In their last meeting, 74 from the 35 balls broke the Bowling Unit of Pakistan and helped India to halt 172.
“Mark my words, when Abhishek Sharma comes out in the first two overs, they will get into trouble. The starts they get, they will struggle when Abhishek will come out early. That is not the ball to make the ball.
Akhtar also explained the influence of India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, and predicted that he will push his team to increase and watch their play to win the Asia Cup final.
“I know Gautam Gambhir. He will tell his team that ‘you have to take a match against Pakistan’. Pakistan will play the worst cricket, they will choose the worst side, but as soon as they reach the final, they play the best cricket and they win the final. It happened with us, concluded Akhtar.
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