Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma (ACC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan legend Wasim Akram has tipped India as favourites to lift the Asia Cup 2025, but he urged Salman Agha’s men to carry the confidence and momentum from their Super 4 win over Bangladesh into Sunday’s final.Pakistan defended a modest total of 136 against Bangladesh on Thursday, setting up a title clash with India in Dubai.“I hope Pakistan’s bowling comes to the fore on Sunday too, and look, it’s an India-Pakistan game. India definitely is favourite,” Akram told reporters in a recent interaction.

“But as cricket lovers have seen — and I have seen — anything can happen in this format. One good innings, one brilliant spell can change the course of the game. Pakistan should take this confidence and momentum into Sunday, back themselves, and play sensible cricket,” he added.The left-arm pace great said Pakistan could test India’s middle order if their new-ball attack delivers early breakthroughs, particularly by dismissing openers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who had stitched a 105-run partnership in the Super 4s clash on September 21.“Ideally, a couple of early wickets, especially Abhishek and Gill, can definitely put India on the back foot. It should be a close game, and I hope in the end the best team wins,” Akram said.The final in Dubai will mark the first-ever India-Pakistan summit clash in Asia Cup history, adding another chapter to cricket’s most intense rivalry.