Follow UsIndia have beaten Pakistan comprehensively on two occasions already in the Asia Cup 2025. In the group stages, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side beat their opponents by seven wickets and in the Super Four fixture, India once again came out on top, this time claiming victory by a six-wicket margin. Both matches have had their fair share of controversies, which makes for an explosive finale in Dubai on September 28 (Sunday).
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes that it is now time for Pakistan to 'break India's aura' in the final and script history.
“We need to break out of this mindset, break down the hawa [aura] that has been built around the Indian team, and go in with the same attitude we had today against Bangladesh. Take India on. That’s the kind of attitude you need. And please remember, we don’t need to go in thinking we have to bowl 20 overs. No! We need to get them out. When you go out to get them out, even India will realise they have to fight to score runs and that they won’t get any free runs,” Akhtar said on the Game On Hai show on PTV Sports.
“Pakistan has to move beyond this, forget about India being the number one team. We have the number one fast bowler in Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf is as quick as anyone in the world today. So there’s no issue if you go in with this attitude.”
Akhtar, however, acknowledged that getting the wicket of Abhishek Sharma early on is going to be key. The India opener has been in stunning form in the tournament, having hit 74 against Pakistan and 75 against Bangladesh in the last two matches, both coming at a strike rate in excess of 200.
“We have to get Abhishek out, that’s it. We can accept a boundary off a good length ball, accept a boundary off a good ball, or a sharp bouncer. As a bowler, I’m telling you, even a great like Ricky Ponting can miss a powerful bouncer or a good length ball. It’s not like Abhishek will do something amazing," Akhrat said.
"He has mistimed and miscued shots in this tournament. The moment Abhishek gets out in the first two overs, mark my words, India will also be in trouble. The good starts they are getting right now, after which they are having a ball of a time, they will struggle as well if Abhishek gets out early. So there will be pressure on them.”
This is the first time the two countries will meet in the Asia Cup final. India have the upper hand in the head-to-head T20I contests against Pakistan, having won 12 of the 15 matches against them. Another win in the final will make it five in a row against the arch-rivals for Team India.