Ahead of the third India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup final, legend Shoaib Akhtar has urged the Pakistan team to abandon their fear, advising them to “break India’s aura” by adopting a fiercely aggressive mindset.
September 26, 2025: Shoaib Akhtar, a famous Pakistani fast bowler, has offered Salman Agha’s side a clear plan on how to win the Asia Cup 2025 final. This would be the third time India and Pakistan have played each other in the tournament.
India is still the overwhelming favorite because they have won both of their prior matches in this tournament. The “Rawalpindi Express,” on the other hand, thinks that Pakistan needs to change their way of thinking and be more aggressive in order to break down the “aura” around the current World No. 1 T20I team.
The Mindset:
Break the Aura Akhtar encouraged the Pakistani players on the show “Game On Hai” to let go of their anxieties and use the battling spirit they showed in their recent big win over Bangladesh.
“Stop thinking this way and set their aura away. Just mess up their aura. Just play the same way you did when you played Bangladesh. You should think this way. Akhtar stated, “You don’t need to bowl 20 overs; you just need to get wickets.”
The Plan:
Aim Abhishek Sharma Akhtar talked on the most vital tactical move he thinks Pakistan needs to do to win: getting rid of India’s best opening batsman, Abhishek Sharma, as soon as possible. Sharma has been a significant surprise in the competition, giving India tremendous starts. For example, in their recent Super Four win over Pakistan, he hit 74 runs off 39 balls.
“Listen to me: if Abhishek Sharma gets out in the first two overs, things will be bad for them.” The former fast bowler added, “They’re going to have a hard time with the starts they’re getting if Abhishek gets out early.” “It’s not like that; Abhishek won’t miss the ball; he will; you just need to go for the kill.” If you come out swinging, India will know we have to fight hard for our runs.
Akhtar remarked that Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, is very competitive and will push his squad to give their best in the last game. The legendary Pakistani player still thought that his team would rise to the occasion, even though the chances were against them.
“Pakistan will play the worst cricket and pick the worst team, but when they get to the final, they play the best cricket and win. It has happened so many times with us,” he remarked.
The final, which will be the first time India and Pakistan have played each other in the Asia Cup, will be in Dubai.