"Will see how Abhishek Sharma hits him"- Shoaib Akhtar's open challenge for next IND vs PAK match

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma put on a stunning show against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash on Sunday (September 21), thrilling fans with his aggressive and fearless batting at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Abhishek Sharma scored 74 runs off just 39 balls, hitting six boundaries and five sixes. The young Indian opener stitched a 105-run stand with Shubman Gill that completely set the tone for the Men in Blue in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash against the Men in Green.

Abhishek Sharma stuns Pakistan with record-breaking 74 in Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash

The left-handed batter reached his half-century in only 24 balls, breaking his mentor Yuvraj Singh’s record of 29 balls for the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan. Abhishek’s blistering knock helped India beat Pakistan comfortably by six wickets on Sunday in Dubai.

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While the entire world is hailing the Punjab lad for his entertaining and aggressive batting, the former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar couldn’t resist commenting on Abhishek’s destructive batting. He has openly downplayed the Indian opener’s talent.

I’ll see how Abhishek Sharma hits Hasan Ali: Shoaib Akhtar

Akhtar would love to see how Abhishek will tackle Hasan Ali with the new ball. The legendary pacer hinted that it would be fascinating to see how the young Indian opener handles fresh, fiery deliveries by Hasan Ali, challenging Sharma that he will not be able to handle the Pakistani pacer.

Shoaib Akhtar said during a discussion on the Game on Hai show, “Let Hasan Ali bowl to Abhishek Sharma with the new ball; I’ll see how he hits. At least test him out.”

Shoaib Akhtar calls out Salman Ali Agha as the weakest link in the Pakistan Cricket Team

Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar has unleashed a furious attack on the Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, following their second loss to India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The former Pakistan fast bowler slammed Agha for poor captaincy, questionable team decisions, and his own poor performance.

Since taking over as full-time T20I captain, Agha has struggled to lead by example, scoring just 40 runs in four matches at a disappointing average in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

Akhtar blamed the team’s confused planning, pointing out a mismanaged middle order, wasted power plays, and ineffective use of bowlers for their embarrassing defeats against India.

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Salman himself doesn’t know what he is doing: Shoaib Akhtar

He also slammed Agha’s decision-making, poor coordination, and inconsistent execution, labeling him the weakest link. The former pacer suggested that Pakistan’s strategy and leadership urgently need to be reshaped if the Men in Green want to compete at the top level.

Akhtar further said, “Salman ko khud nahi pata wo kya kaptaani kar raha hai (Salman himself doesn’t know what he is doing). He is the weakest link. Does he even deserve the spot he is playing at? What does he do? He could be a good boy, but what does he produce? Does he perform like Tilal Varma or Hardik Pandya? On top of that, he makes wrong decisions that further put the team in trouble.”