Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has fired a warning to the side ahead of the IND vs PAK Asia Cup final. The arch-rivals are set to lock horns for the third time in the tournament, with Salam Ali Agha and co. losing two out of two games previously to India in the group and the Super 4 stage. Ahead of the finals, Akhtar warned Pakistan that it is imperative to get rid of opener Abhishek Sharma early in the contest should they fancy chances of winning the contest.
Abhishek Sharma, Gambhir: Akhtar’s biggest problems
Speaking on a local Pakistan TV programme, Akhtar claimed that Pakistan needed to ignore India’s aura and focus instead on getting as many wickets as possible. He said that by gewtting rid of Abhishek within the first two overs, PAK could do a great deal of help for themselves, adding that the batter would never mistime the ball but PAK had to go for the kill. Sharma is currently the highest run-getter in the ongoing Asia Cup with 248 runs to his name from 5 innings, with two fifties to his name.
“Come out of this mindset, keep their aura aside. Just break their aura. Just play with this mindset that you had in the match against Bangladesh. This is the kind of mindset you need. You don’t need to bowl 20 overs; you just need to get wickets,” Akhtar claimed.
He further fired a warning over India head coach Gautam Gambhir, flagging how he would motivate the Men in Blue.
“I know Gautam Gambhir. He will tell his team that ‘you need to bring your A game against Pakistan’. Pakistan will play the worst cricket, they will pick the worst side, but as soon as they reach the final, they play the best cricket, and they win the finals. It has happened so my times with us,” added Akhtar.
