Dubai: Abhishek Sharma’s flair will go head-to-head with Shaheen Shah Afridi’s precision in what promises to be an edge-of-the-seat showdown in the Asia Cup final on Sunday, says India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, who has worked closely with both youngsters.
Morkel, who briefly served as a bowling consultant for Pakistan and coached the left-arm pacer, said: “Shaheen is an aggressive bowler who will look to knock you over. And Abhishek isn’t going to hold back either. Every time these two have faced off, fans have been glued to their seats – and that’s brilliant for the game.”
Both players are 25, but while Shaheen is a familiar name in world cricket, the left-handed Abhishek has taken the tournament by storm with his dynamic strokeplay. The Indian batter has been unstoppable in six matches so far, scoring three fifties and three other innings of 30-plus. In the two India-Pakistan clashes this Asia Cup, Abhishek has consistently troubled Shaheen, starting the September 14 match with a crisp straight-driven boundary off a full toss, and on September 21, dispatching him for a six behind square.
“Let’s look forward to seeing them battle it out again on Sunday and enjoy the spectacle,” added the former Proteas pace ace, anticipating another thrilling duel in the grand finale.
