Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar created an unintentional viral moment during the cricket talk show “Game On Hai” when he mistakenly referred to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan instead of India’s rising opener Abhishek Sharma while discussing the Asia Cup final against India.
The blooper moment
Akhtar said: “If Pakistan get Abhishek Bachchan out early in a hypothetical situation, then what is going to happen with the middle-order? Their middle-order hasn’t performed well.”
The slip of the tongue immediately drew laughter from the host and panellists, who quickly corrected him. Akhtar had intended to refer to Abhishek Sharma, who has been in outstanding form during the tournament with back-to-back half-centuries.
Context of the Asia Cup final
The blooper highlighted the tension and excitement surrounding the India-Pakistan Asia Cup final in Dubai, set to be a fiercely contested match. Pakistan reached the final after a narrow 11-run win over Bangladesh, while India remain undefeated, defending their T20 World Cup champion status.
The rivalry between the two sides has been intense, with previous matches witnessing players skipping handshakes and celebrations spilling into political symbolism.
Key players and challenges
- India: Abhishek Sharma has been consistent, with Kuldeep Yadav leading in wickets, though fielding lapses with 12 dropped catches have raised concerns.
- Pakistan: Depend on the pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, while their batting remains fragile.
Akhtar’s humorous gaffe provided comic relief amid the high-pressure buildup, showing how cricket and Bollywood often intersect in South Asia’s cultural imagination. Fans shared clips of the moment widely on social media, enjoying the light-hearted slip before the high-stakes clash.
Conclusion
While the joke brought laughter to fans, the real contest will be decided on the field. When India and Pakistan face off in the final, it will be the cricketers—not actors—who determine the winner of the coveted Asia Cup title.