Salman Agha’s team should take the confidence and energy from their victory over Bangladesh in the Super 4s into Sunday’s final, according to Pakistani icon Wasim Akram, who has tipped India as the favorites to win the Asia Cup.
Pakistan set up a final date against India on Thursday by defending a modest score of 136 against Bangladesh.
“I hope so (Pakistan’s bowling comes to the fore on Sunday too), and look, it’s an India-Pakistan game. India definitely are favourites on Sunday,” Akram said.
“But you guys have seen, cricket lovers have seen, I have seen, anything can happen in this format. One good innings, one spell can change the course of the game.”
“Pakistan team should take this confidence, this momentum to Sunday and back themselves and play sensible cricket,” he added.
The legendary left-arm pacer claimed that if Pakistan’s new-ball attack makes early gains, particularly after dismissing openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, they can put India’s middle-order to the test.
In the September 21 Super 4s encounter against Pakistan, Gill and Abhishek stitched a partnership of 105 runs.
“Ideally, a couple of early wickets, especially Abhishek and Gill, that can definitely put India on a back-foot. It should be a close game and I hope in the end, the best team will win,” he added.
In the 41-year history of the Asia Cup, the final in Dubai will mark the first-ever final clash between India and Pakistan, adding another chapter to the fiercest rivalry in cricket.
