Abhishek Sharma vs Shaheen Afridi: The Battle That Could Define the Asia Cup 2025 Final

Flamboyance Meets Firepower as India Take On Pakistan in a Historic Final Clash

Abhishek Sharma’s fearless strokeplay will face a fierce test against Shaheen Shah Afridi’s lethal pace in what is being dubbed the most anticipated face-off of the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan this Sunday.

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, who has worked with both players, believes this showdown could be the deciding factor in the outcome of the high-voltage match. “Abhishek is not going to hold back, and Shaheen is an aggressive bowler who wants to knock you over — it’s going to be electric,” Morkel said.

Key Highlights

Clash of the Titans: Both Abhishek Sharma and Shaheen Afridi are 25 years old but represent different journeys — Shaheen, the experienced warhorse; Abhishek, the rising Indian star.
Abhishek’s Consistency: The Indian left-hander has been unstoppable in Asia Cup 2025 with 3 fifties and no failures in 6 matches, always scoring 30+.
Shaheen Under Pressure: In both India vs Pakistan matches so far, Abhishek has taken Shaheen apart — hitting a straight-driven boundary on Sept 14 and a hooked six on Sept 21.
Historic Final: This marks the first India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final in 41 years, adding further drama to an already explosive encounter.

Expert Take – Morne Morkel on the Key Match-Up

Morkel, a former South African pacer, has previously worked as a bowling consultant for Pakistan, giving him a unique perspective on Shaheen. Now part of India’s coaching setup, he is equally impressed by Abhishek’s fearless approach.

“Every time these two face off, fans are on the edge of their seats. It’s great for the game,” said Morkel.

Abhishek vs Shaheen: Head-to-Head Impact So Far

Match	Abhishek vs Shaheen
Sept 14, 2025	Straight-driven boundary off full toss
Sept 21, 2025	Hooked six behind square
Overall Record	Abhishek has dominated both encounters

What’s at Stake?

With both nations eyeing Asia Cup glory and the world watching, this match-up may very well tip the balance. Can Shaheen redeem himself, or will Abhishek’s dream run continue?