Umpires mediate between India's players Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill and Pakistani players Pakistan's Haris Rauf, Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz during the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)Misbah-ul-Haq has talked about the general atmosphere in Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup final against India on Sunday.
“People have started praying a bit! They are coming together,” Misbah said with a smile on PTV Sports Official. “Cricket is the thing that binds this nation together. Especially when a game between Pakistan and India, I don’t think there is a person in the country who doesn’t think Pakistan should do well. They all want Pakistan to do well and win this game.
“Like Shoaib Malik has said, Pakistan have nothing to lose. India are the favourites, everyone knows they have aver good team. Pakistan have somehow to get to the final. Now its a matter of one day, one game. If a player can have one good game, one big score, one good spell – and you are the champions of Asia Cup. Everybody is hopeful that we can have an wonderful day and India can have one bad day. There has not been a bigger game than this for a long while.”
Misbah also spoke about Pakistan should plan their batting. When the host asked if they should set a decent target and aim for that, Misbah disagreed. Bringing up the number of dot balls they have played so far in the tournament, that has often paradoxically clashed with attempted big hits randomly, he said a proper plan is needed.
“I don’t think that’s good. When you set a target before hand , it’s not a right way. You set a strategy, assess the pitch well – is the ball coming on to the bat or no. Then determine the kind of start. Of course you think 180-plus in T20 but you divide those runs in different sectors of the innings.
“The first three batters have a license to attack to try maximise the powerplay. But if that isn’t happening be it because the ball is stopping a touch, or seaming/swinging around or the bowling is very good, you have to move on to the next plan. Okay, 60 runs in powerplay isn’t happening, can we get 45 here.So change your plan accordingly.”
Misbah believes that Pakistan team isn’t reassessing targets properly. “Then you plan for the next four overs and reassess. You then think for the next four overs. Initially, you go in positively of course but in 3 overs you will get an idea about the pitch and what to do, how to cash in the next three overs. I think that kind of reassessment isn’t happening here by the Pakistan team.
“Post the powerplay you can’t hit out and get out. The shot selection becomes crucial, where to play your shots, which bowler to target, and always keep the rotation of strike going on,” Misbah concluded.
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