Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar advised his team to play confident cricket against India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on September 28. Pakistan reached the final of the continental tournament after beating Bangladesh by 11 runs on September 28. India were the first team to advance to the final after defeating the Bangla side on September 24. It will be the first time in the history of the Asia Cup when the arch-rivals Indiaand Pakistan will play against each other in the final. The two teams will meet each other for the third time in the competition and Pakistan will strive to turn the table against India, who won both encounters against the Green Army.
Shoaib Akhtar has advised Pakistan players to change their mindset and
break India’s aura to get success in the final."Come out of this mindset, keep their aura aside. Just break their aura. Just play with this mindset that you had in the match against Bangladesh. This is the kind of mindset you need. You don't need to bowl 20 overs; you just need to get wickets," remarked Akhtar on the 'Game On Hai' show.
Shoaib Akhtar wants Pakistan to get rid of Abhishek Sharma early
Akhtar has also told Pakistan to dismiss opener Abhishek Sharma early as the Pakistan legend feels if Sharma falls early, India will struggle to score runs at a brisk pace. "Mark my words, if Abhishek Sharma gets out in the first two overs, they will get in trouble. The starts they are getting, they are going to struggle if Abhishek gets out early. It's not like that, Abhishek will not mistime the ball; he will do that; you just need to go for the kill. If you come out fighting, India will realise that we have to work hard for our runs," added Akhtar.
In India’s twin triumphs against Pakistan, Abhishek shone with his knocks of 31 (13) and 74 (39). Kuldeep Yadav has also given a tough time to the Men in Green as the leg-break spinner bowled wicket-taking and frugal spells. In India’s seven-wicket win in the Group A game, Kuldeep picked up 3/18 figures and also became the Player of the Match (POTM).
