Asia Cup 2025 final: Ex-Pakistan cricketers play mind games with Abhishek Sharma

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Abhishek Sharma has firmly established himself as India’s most explosive and impactful batter in the Asia Cup 2025. His aggressive approach at the top of the order has turned him into the biggest threat for opposing teams, especially Pakistan, who now face him in the high-stakes final.

As the stage is set for a historic India-Pakistan clash, cricketing legends from across the border have already begun the mental warfare, attempting to unnerve the young opener. Former Pakistan pacers Waqar Younis, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif have publicly shared tips and strategies aimed at curbing Abhishek’s destructive momentum. The psychological battle is as much a part of the final as the physical skills on display. With Abhishek’s fearless stroke play, the men in green are aware that a single early breakthrough could completely shift the balance of the contest.

Legendary fast bowler Younis has openly discussed the psychological edge that Pakistan bowlers could attempt to create against Abhishek. “Abhishek can take the game away in the first few overs, but everyone has a bad day and his could be on Sunday. There will be pressure on him in a final, and if Pakistani bowlers bowl with clarity and plan, they can get him out early,” Waqar was quoted as saying by the Firstpost.

Amir emphasized tactical bowling, highlighting the effectiveness of inswinging deliveries directed at Abhishek’s stumps and body line. He pointed out how similar strategies had worked for Mitchell Starc in dismissing Abhishek during the IPL, stressing that a perfectly executed slower ball could induce a mistimed shot. Amir also noted that targeting Abhishek’s aggressive nature by maintaining disciplined line and length could frustrate the batter and force a mistake.

‘A bowler should not allow him [Abhishek] to open his arms. Bowling a swinging delivery inside the stumps, four to five metres in length, can force an edge. I have seen Mitchell Starc dismiss him in the IPL with an outswinger. A perfect slower ball could also work, as he plays with hard hands, it might get him out caught in the air in the circle,’ Amir explained.

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Adding to the tactical blueprint, former pacer Asif emphasized simplicity, consistency, and patience as the key to unsettling Abhishek who has so far accumulated a staggering 309 runs in just six matches. “Bowl three deliveries to him at the same spot. He’ll play the first two and get out on the third. Trying to bowl different deliveries too early won’t succeed. And you can’t start with a bouncer, like Shaheen did in the second match,” Asif advised.

The strategy reflects a combination of mental and technical warfare: maintaining pressure, testing the batter’s patience, and waiting for a moment of vulnerability. This approach complements the insights of Younis and Amir, collectively forming a multi-layered plan to neutralize India’s most explosive run-getter. As India and Pakistan gear up for this epic showdown, Abhishek’s performance under such sustained scrutiny could either cement his status as a superstar or become a rare off day narrative.

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