It is confirmed that India and Pakistan will face each other for the third time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, as they will meet in the Final of the tournament on Sunday (September 28). Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar made a funny stumble while revealing Pakistan's best strategy to beat the in-form Indian team in the tournament Final. 

In the 41-year-old Asia Cup, it will be the first time that India and Pakistan will take on each other in the Final of the tournament. They have already met twice in this tournament, where India thrashed Pakistan on both occasions. In their group stage (Group A) fixture, after Pakistan scored 127/9 in 20 overs, India chased down the target in 15.5 overs after losing only three wickets, as India won by seven wickets with 25 balls remaining. 

In the Super Fours, India defeated Pakistan by six wickets with seven balls remaining, where after Pakistan scored 171/5, India chased down the target in 18.5 overs after losing four wickets.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is in dream form with the bat, as he slammed three consecutive half-centuries in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025, as the left-handed opening batter is the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Against Pakistan in this tournament, while he slammed 31 off 13 balls in the group stage clash, he then smashed the Player of the Match award-winning level innings of 74 in just 39 balls in the Super Fours clash.

[WATCH] Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill out for 4 as Theekshana takes spectacular catch in IND vs SL Super 4 clash

Shoaib Akhtar named Abhishek Bachchan instead of Abhishek Sharma

Without any doubt, Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believed that anything could happen, even in favour of Pakistan, if they dismiss Abhishek Sharma early, as the Indian middle-order batting hasn't been tested yet. But going to talk about the Indian opener Abhishek Sharma, Akhtar mistakenly took the name of Abhishek Bachchan, the Bollywood actor. He was quickly corrected by others in that show. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Abhishek Bachchan also reacted

Even the Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan reacted to this funny side of the story. 

Sir, with all due respect… don’t think they’ll even manage that! And I’m not even good at playing cricket. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/kTy2FgB10j

— Abhishek 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧 (@juniorbachchan) September 26, 2025

Abhishek Bachchan Becomes Part-Owner of European T20 Premier League

Abhishek Bachchan, who likes performing in plays and movies, business, and loves sports, just became a part-owner of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). This partnership of quality is a partnership between private owners and the cricket organizations of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The whole event is recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), so it's legitimate.

They're planning to kickoff the matches from July 15 to August 3, 2025. Playing cricket is not the only thing  it mainly focuses on bringing together the best players from these three countries, and other top-notch cricketers from around the world. With Abhishek Bachchan now in the mix, the event is getting a lot of hype and looks set to be a massive deal in European cricket circles.

The European T20 Premier League, or ETPL, is a contest owned by private people, involving the cricket places of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. It just made a large jump by adding Abhishek Bachchan as part owner. Mr. Bachchan also does business and likes sports. The ETPL, approved by the International Cricket Council, or ICC, will start on July 15 and run to August 3, 2025.

It will include good players from those countries and good players from everywhere, celebrating European cricket. A group with people from the cricket boards and Rules Sport Technology is making fully sure the league is progressing. This group will build a location to run the contest. Abhishek Bachchan had something to say about investing.

Mr. Bachchan said cricket makes people one, and the ETPL can show how more people in the world enjoy cricket. Mr. Bachchan said the 2028 Olympics having cricket makes it important, so he's happy to work with the places for Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. His goal is to make the ETPL successful and show cricket to millions of people in Europe.

Mr. Bachchan ended by saying it's only beginning, and they should begin working hard. Pertinently, or perhaps, Warren Deutrom, who is in charge of Cricket Ireland and the ETPL, is happy that Abhishek joined the team. Mr. Deutrom feels Abhishek's energy for sports and talent for doing business will cause the league to gain importance.

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🚨 A GAME CHANGER IN EUROPEAN CRICKET 🚨

- Abhishek Bachchan invests in the ICC Sanctioned European T20 Premier League as Co Owner.

ETPL set to start on July 15th to August 3rd, 2025, players from Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands. pic.twitter.com/QF3SdiKttD

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 6, 2025

ETPL Plans Exciting Launch with Six Teams and Global Appeal

Also, Saurav Banerjee, who directs the ETPL, said that Europe has a lot of hidden potential for cricket. To summarize my case, with thirty-four ICC member areas in Europe, the league has a possibility to start something new for both players and watchers. The start needs some reworking, so maybe a return to the drawing board. Priyanka Kaul, a different leader for ETPL, let it slip that the first go-around will have six groups.

These groups will be in Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Because major-name media people are helping out, a large number of people all over, mainly in places such as Europe, India, Australia, and England, will likely watch. S. Ravi, who started the Ravi Rajan Group, and Abhishek Ravi, who gives money advice to the league, stressed that being honest about financial matters is really important for ETPL.

They've obtained KPMG giving them tips, so, theoretically, it may be really proficient at keeping things organized with their spending, the rules, and keeping everyone who has a stake in things happy. Soon, there's going to be a party to reveal which teams there are, what their names will be, and when and how people become players.

The ETPL is getting everything ready for a very exciting tournament. ETPL wants to make major changes to cricket in Europe. The idea is to motivate young players, get fans together, and provide entertainment worldwide.