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Abhishek Bachchan (L) & Shoaib Akhtar (R). Photo: Official Facebook.

Abhishek Bachchan has a witty response to Shoaib Akhtar’s name mix-up ahead of India-Pak Asia Cup final

| @indiablooms | Sep 27, 2025, at 12:21 am

As anticipation builds for the high-voltage India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan added a dose of humour to the cricket frenzy.

A viral clip from the ongoing tournament showed former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar mistakenly referring to India’s rising star Abhishek Sharma as “Abhishek Bachchan” while analysing a match.

The slip quickly set social media abuzz, with fans tagging the actor in jokes and memes.

Known for his playful presence on X, Bachchan responded with a sharp quip: “Sir, with all due respect... don’t think they’ll even manage that! And I’m not even good at playing cricket.”

The tongue-in-cheek remark drew laughter online and was widely shared, turning the mix-up into a light-hearted moment ahead of Sunday’s final.

Bachchan, a passionate sports enthusiast who co-owns multiple teams across various leagues, often engages with fans during major sporting events. His latest post once again showcased his trademark humour while also reminding followers of his deep connection with sport.

Meanwhile, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson urged his players to ignore off-field controversies and focus solely on cricket in the historic clash.

“My message is just focus on cricket. That is what we would be doing… In terms of gestures, there has always been passion, hasn’t there, during high-pressure matches. Our focus would be just on playing a good game,” he said after Pakistan’s win over Bangladesh.

The victory, powered by fiery spells from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, secured Pakistan’s place in the first-ever Asia Cup final against India in 41 years.

With political tensions and disciplinary flashpoints already shadowing the tournament, Sunday’s title clash promises to be one of the most intense encounters in the history of the rivalry, now with a touch of Bollywood humour added to the build-up.

 

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