Two down, one to go. The one to go is the big one, the one that matters, the first final between the teams in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup. India and Pakistan have already faced off twice in this edition, over the last two Sundays. Suryakumar Yadav’s men have comfortably lorded both exchanges but must bring their ‘A’ game to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium if they are to retain the Asia Cup and extend their record to nine titles.
Without being at their imperious best, India have largely towered over the chasing pack. Sri Lanka ran them frightfully close in Friday’s dead rubber which India, somehow, clinched in the Super Over. At various stages, it seemed as if, led by Pathum Nissanka, the islanders would make light of a target of 203. That they accrued nearly 50% of their 202 against undercooked pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who won’t figure in a first-choice XI, should not mask the fact that under pressure, the Indian bowling didn’t exactly acquit itself with credit.
India dominant so far
Pakistan haven’t been able to exert sustained pressure in the two previous faceoffs. They did get into a great position in the Super Four clash a week back, going into the halfway stage at 91 for one, but India regrouped superbly after the drinks break to launch a stirring fightback spearheaded by Shivam Dube. That first ten-over passage was the only time Pakistan mounted any kind of challenge; otherwise, it’s been India all the way, Abhishek Sharma their regal batting lynchpin and Kuldeep Yadav leading the charge with the ball.
Shaheen Afridi
Abhishek was one of two Indians, apart from Hardik Pandya, to leave the field during the Lankan chase on Friday. Bowling coach Morne Morkel put that down to cramps. India can’t afford for even one of them to be unavailable because it will throw their plans off kilter and give Pakistan an opening even before the toss.
India have been overly reliant on Abhishek to provide both volume and impetus. The 25-year-old hasn’t disappointed, his takedown of Shaheen Shah Afridi one of the tournament highlights; this faceoff will be vital in the skirmish for early honours, but Abhishek could do with greater support from Suryakumar and from his opening partner, Shubman Gill.
Despite being involved in consecutive opening partnerships of 105 and 77, Gill hasn’t been in great touch, boasting just 115 runs with a best of 47. That also remains the captain’s highest score out of a total tally of 71. If one is looking for signs, they both came in different matches against Pakistan.
Pak batting lacks confidence
Pakistan’s batting hasn’t inspired a great deal of confidence. Saim Ayub, now demoted to No. 3, has four ducks from six outings and their leading run-maker, Sahibzada Farhan, has scored 160 runs at a modest strike rate of 107.38. It’s their bowlers, Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz primarily, who have bailed them out with the bat. If Salman Agha and his batting comrades believe it’s time to keep up their end of the bargain, the final should witness quite a battle.
If Shaheen is aggressive, Abhishek won’t hold back either: Morne Morkel
Morne Morkel
Abhishek Sharma’s flamboyance will meet its match in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s precision in what promises to be an “edge of the seat” battle in the Asia Cup final on Sunday, according to India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, who has worked with both the talented youngsters. Morkel had earlier worked briefly as a bowling consultant with the Pakistan team where he got a chance to coach the left-arm speedster.
“Shaheen is obviously an aggressive bowler that will try and knock you over. And Abhishek is not going to hold back. I think so far, every time these two went head-to-head, we all as cricket supporters and fans are on the edge of our seats, and that’s great for the game,” Morkel said. Both the players are 25. However, while Shaheen has been around for sometime now, the left-handed Abhishek has taken world cricket by storm with his dashing strokeplay.
221.40
Abhishek Sharma’s strike-rate against Shaheen Afridi. The Indian opener has scored 31 runs off 14 balls in two games without being dismissed