Shaheen Afridi and...? Biggest threats for India in Asia Cup final from Pakistan

Shaheen Afridi and Suryakumar Yadav [Source: @ImTanujSingh/X.com]

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final is just around the corner, and it is worth mentioning that it will be in the 41 years of history of Asia Cup tournaments across ODI and T20Is that the two teams will ever meet for a Final. As this is a mega event in itself, the clash between the two teams is set to be more fiery.

With Pakistan setting a strong note after recently kicking out Bangladesh in the Super Four stage, their in-form players and even out-of-form veterans will be eager to hunt down India and avenge their two losses from the group and Super Four stages. Ahead of the clash, here are a few Pakistan players who can trouble India the most in the final.

1) Fakhar Zaman

(Table - Fakhar Zaman's stats against India)

Fakhar Zaman averages 30.40 against India across his ODI and T20I career, making him one of the most formidable foes for the Men in Blue. While he has disappointed in this edition of the Asia Cup, scoring just 32 runs in two matches against the Men in Blue, one cannot forget his nightmarish innings against India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where he terminated India's hope to win.

Fakhar’s 114-run stand in that final helped Pakistan post 338, leaving India morale-broken and collapsing for just 158. His T20I stats against India have been underwhelming, but the 35-year-old now calls for a major resurgence, averaging 27 in Asia Cup 2025 across six matches.

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2) Shaheen Afridi

(Table - Shaheen Afridi's stats against India)

Shaheen Shah Afridi has consistently troubled India in numerous encounters. One cannot forget his 3/31 against India in World Cup 2021, where he bowled his full 4-over quota at an economy rate of 7.75. 

Although Pakistan secured the win thanks to brilliant chases from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, it was Afridi’s three-wicket spell that restricted India to 151, stifling their run flow.

Notably, Shaheen Afridi has taken 13 wickets from 10 matches against India in his career, maintaining an economy rate of 7.31. He has also been in scintillating form recently, claiming three wickets against Bangladesh and another three against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, which testifies for his lethality in red-hot form.

(Shaheen Afridi's latest stats in Asia Cup 2025)

In this edition of the Asia Cup, Afridi has already bagged nine wickets from six matches, boasting a strike rate of just 13. With the bat, he can also pose a significant threat. His power-hitting was on display during the group stage clash against India, where he scored 33 off just 16 balls, showcasing his ability to trouble the bowlers as well.

3) Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub, the rising youngster from Pakistan who impressed in previous international outings, has struggled with the bat in the Asia Cup 2025. The 23-year-old managed just 23 runs from 6 innings, averaging 3.83, a disastrous return for an international-level opening batter. His stats for the tournament include 4 ducks and a solitary 21 off 17 balls against India.

(Table - Saim Ayub's stats against India)

However, Ayub’s overall T20I record remains impressive. Ahead of the Asia Cup, he starred in the UAE Tri-Series, scoring 111 runs from 5 innings, and against West Indies in August, he amassed 130 runs from 3 innings at an average of 43.33.

While his batting has faltered, Ayub’s bowling contributions have been exceptional. Though his bowling might be tested against India, he could still shine with the bat if Pakistan backs him as an opener. His role may mirror that of MS Dhoni in the 2011 World Cup, who had modest knocks ranging from 7 to 34 in the group stage before producing a heroic 91 in the final against Sri Lanka, guiding India to chase 275.

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