Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has emphasized that the powerplay overs could be decisive in the Asia Cup 2025 final. He suggested that India can virtually seal the game if they dominate with the new ball. The Men in Blue will face Pakistan in the final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28.
This will be the third encounter between the two teams in the tournament. India defeated the Salman Ali Agha-led side by seven wickets in the group stage and by six wickets in the Super Fours. Chopra noted that
Suryakumar Yadav’s team could control the summit clash if they perform well in the powerplay. He also warned that Pakistan would struggle to recover if they have a slow or indifferent start.
"Win the powerplay and control the match. Many times you have to close the match later, but against Pakistan, you just close the game right at the top, and if you do that, you will be in a very good space. When I look at it from our perspective, it seems like we can figure out even if the powerplay is not good. If you see against Sri Lanka, our powerplay wasn't good with the ball, but India made a comeback after that. However, Pakistan won't be able to do that. Pakistan is totally about how they start," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“Hoping Hardik to be fit for the final”
The cricketer-turned-commentator also pointed out the poor run of form with the bat for Saim Ayub and Pakistan’s skipper. Furthermore, Chopra added that if India can pick up one or two early wickets, it could be, game, set, and match. Lastly, the Agra-born urged ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah to make an impact with the new ball and expressed hope that Hardik Pandya would be fit for the final.
"If you stop them in the powerplay, this team won't be able to recover from there. It's been heard that Saim Ayub is not eating eggs even in his breakfast because he has scored so many already. So he wants to stay away from them. Salman Ali Agha has been seen struggling a lot. The batting has been slightly topsy-turvy and they probably do not have that much experience and expertise either," Chopra said.
Chopra also observed that Shaheen Shah Afridi and the other Pakistan bowlers would be left clueless if India avoids early wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The Men in Blue scored 61 for 2 in the first six overs while chasing 128 in the group stage, and the openers amassed 69 runs in six overs during the Super 4 clash while pursuing a target of 172.
"If you don't give them wickets at the start, Shaheen Afridi's performance has improved slightly, but if you don't give him wickets with the new ball, his situation turns bad. Then he doesn't understand what needs to be done, and that's not just him, it's the entire Pakistan team. So, winning the powerplay and winning the match is the biggest story," Chopra concluded.
