Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has issued a stark warning to Pakistan ahead of their Asia Cup clash against India, stating that the Indian team will come hard at them. The two teams are set to face off in a highly anticipated Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14. Both teams have already secured dominant wins in their opening matches of the Asia Cup.
Akhtar, known for his aggressive bowling and outspoken nature, emphasized that Pakistan needs to play their best cricket to be competitive against India. He highlighted the importance of a strong start with the ball, suggesting that it could put India on the backfoot. However, he acknowledged that India, with their current form and depth, will look to dominate from the outset.
"What kind of cricket are they going to play against you? It's pretty obvious they are going to dominate you, and then they'll make sure to hammer you down. That's as simple as it gets," Akhtar said on the Tapmad YouTube channel.
India began their Asia Cup campaign with a dominant nine-wicket victory over the UAE, while Pakistan thrashed Oman by 93 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's impressive 4 for 7 and Shivam Dube's 3 for 4 helped to dismiss the UAE for a mere 57 runs, which Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill chased down swiftly. Pakistan, on the other hand, bowled out Oman for 67 in response to their own score of 161.
The match is taking place amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions between the two nations. Akhtar even described the match as the first between the two nations "post-war," a comment that has sparked debate. Political tensions have risen following a terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan, leading to a tense military situation that de-escalated after Pakistan requested a ceasefire.
Despite calls for a boycott of the match due to the recent tensions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given the green light, citing India's interests. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, stated that the team remains focused on playing good cricket, despite the outrage and political climate.
Akhtar also addressed reports of poor ticket sales for the high-profile match, dismissing them as "external talks" and asserting that emotions are running high. He said it is highly unlikely that the stadium will not be packed. "Emotions are running very high. Now we [Pakistan] are meeting India for the first time post-war. Think about it — it cannot not be houseful. Someone said to me that the tickets are unsold. I said, 'What are you saying?' Everything is sold," Akhtar stated.
The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in cricket, and this Asia Cup clash promises to be another exciting chapter. With both teams coming off strong wins, the match is expected to be a thrilling contest.
