Pakistan’s legendary pacer, Wasim Akram, feels that while India enters the Asia Cup 2025 final as the favourites, Pakistan still has a chance to cause an upset if they can bring their A-game to the fore. The arch-rivals are set to lock horns for the third time in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup. India will be oozing confidence after beating the Men in Green comprehensively in the two previous meetings.
While Akram highlighted India's dominance as a team in the continental competition, he believes
that the unpredictability of T20 cricket will give Pakistan fans hope of a turnaround.
“I hope so [Pakistan’s bowling comes to the fore on Sunday too], and look, it’s an India-Pakistan game. India definitely is the favourite on Sunday,” Akram was quoted as saying by India Today.
“But you guys have seen, cricket lovers have seen, I have seen, anything can happen in this format. One good innings, one spell can change the course of the game," he added.
Play sensible cricket: Akram
Pakistan made it to the final after defeating Bangladesh in a virtual semi-final clash on Thursday. Salman Agha and Co. restricted Bangladesh to 124/9, winning the match by 11 runs. Shaheen Afridi won the Player of the Match award for his all-round heroics.
Akram suggested that Pakistan should take confidence from the win against Bangladesh and rely on sensible cricket versus Suryakumar Yadav's men.
“Pakistan team should take this confidence, this momentum to Sunday and back themselves and play sensible cricket,” Akram added.
Akram feels that if Pakistan can get India's openers - Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma - out quickly, it can help build pressure on the seven-time champions. Abhishek is the leading run-getter in the tournament, having amassed 309 runs from six innings at an average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 204.64.
“Ideally, a couple of early wickets, especially Abhishek and Gill, can definitely put India on the back foot. It should be a close game, and I hope in the end, the best team will win,” the cricketer-turned-expert remarked.
