Shoaib Akhtar’s Advice To Pakistan Ahead Of Asia Cup Final: ‘Get Abhishek Bachchan Out Early’ | Cricket News

Shoaib Akhtar has some advice for Pakistan as they gear up for the Asia Cup final against arch-rivals India this Sunday: Get rid of Abhishek Bachchan early.

Yup, that’s right.

The former Pakistan fast bowler had a slip of tongue during a chat show “Game On Hai” which left his fellow panelists smiling.

“If Pakistan get Abhishek Bachchan out early on, hypothetically speaking, then what’s going to happen with the middle order? Their middle-order hasn’t performed,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar meant to say Abhishek Sharma, India’s young batting sensation who has been in blistering form at the ongoing Asia Cup and has played a key role in India’s unbeaten run so far that has seen them qualify for the final with a match remaining.

Abhishek has racked up 248 runs from five innings at a stunning strike-rate of 206.67 while opening for India. He has struck two half-centuries with a best of 75 that came in a 41-run win over Bangladesh which sealed India’s passage into the summit clash.

On the other hand, Pakistan qualified after beating Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday.

This will be the third time in the ongoing competition that India and Pakistan will lock horns.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led India have been the team to beat this tournament having won all their five matches so far including two against Pakistan.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha exuded confidence ahead of the final, claiming his team is capable of beating anyone.

“We are really settled. We are a good enough team to beat anyone. We are excited and we will be looking to beat them in the final,” Agha said.