In a light-hearted moment during the cricket talk show Game On Hai, former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar made a humorous slip while discussing the upcoming Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan. He mistakenly referred to Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan instead of Indian opener Abhishek Sharma. Akhtar said, "If Pakistan get Abhishek Bachchan out early on in a hypothetical situation, then what is going to happen with the middle-order? Their middle-order hasn’t performed well." This gaffe elicited laughter from the host and fellow panellists, who quickly corrected him.

The Asia Cup final, set to take place in Dubai, is highly anticipated, with both teams having a history of intense encounters. Pakistan reached the final after a narrow 11-run victory over Bangladesh, while India has remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The match is expected to be charged with both sporting and political tension, as past encounters have seen players skip post-match handshakes and celebrations take on deeper meanings.

Akhtar emphasized the importance of dismissing Abhishek Sharma early in the match, stating, "Mark my words, if Abhishek Sharma gets out in the first two overs, they will get in trouble… you just need to go for the kill." He advised the Pakistani team to shed any mental baggage and play to their strengths.

In response to Akhtar's slip, Abhishek Bachchan joined the banter on social media, quipping, "Sir, with all due respect… don’t think they’ll even manage that! And I’m not even good at playing cricket." His witty reply added to the viral nature of the moment, with fans sharing memes and jokes about the crossover between Bollywood and cricket.

As the teams prepare for their first-ever title clash in the Asia Cup, all eyes will be on key players like Abhishek Sharma, who has been in excellent form, and Kuldeep Yadav, who leads the wicket tally. Pakistan's hopes rest on their pace bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, although their batting lineup has shown vulnerabilities.

The final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to claim the trophy. As the match approaches, the blend of humour and intensity surrounding the event highlights the unique cultural connection between cricket and Bollywood in South Asia.