 "'They are going to hammer Pakistan': Shoaib Akhtar and Misbah-ul-Haq share funny chat on India before big clash")
India and Pakistan will lock horns against each other in the biggest match of Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, September 14. Before the match, two former stars of Pakistan cricket, Shoaib Akhtar and Misbah-ul-Haq, had a light-hearted discussion on a TV show, where they both praised India’s strong batting lineup but also talked about where their team can get a chance.
Shoaib, Misbah split on India vs Pakistan chances
Misbah said that if Pakistan bowlers can take early wickets, then India’s middle order could be tested. But Shoaib interrupted him with a smile, saying, “Not to counter your argument, please forgive me”, and made his case. Now India have Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Verma, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav, and Jitesh Sharma … you can’t run through this team,” Akhtar said on the show Game on Hai.
Misbah then cracked a joke, “But Gyarah hi khelenge na lekin?! (Only 11 can play, right?)” Shoaib then replied, “You can’t run through this team. Thinking Virat is not there and middle order can be tested. My whole argument is that this is a very strong middle order India has ever produced.”
“What kind of cricket they (India) are going to play? It’s pretty obvious that they are going to dominate you and they are going to make sure that they are going to hammer you (Pakistan). If I stretch it far, as far as making a statement, I think they would like to play Afghanistan in the finals. Pakistan has to put the A game forward,” Shoaib added.
Misbah, however, reminded that Pakistan still has a chance if they strike early. “If India lose a couple of early wickets, they don’t have Virat Kohli. Their batting too is different. And they haven’t played this kind of bowlers. So Pakistan have that opportunity. You have to create that hole at the start but that’s the thing- a good start is needed,” he said.
Both India and Pakistan won their opening games of the tournament. India crushed the hosts UAE on September 10, while Pakistan beat Oman on September 12. India hold an edge over Pakistan when it comes to Asia Cup matches. They have played 19 matches in the tournament so far, of which India have won 10 matches and Pakistan have won 6 games.
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