Pakistan faces a stiff challenge once again as they face India in their first Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, September 21.
Coming into the second round of the tournament, Pakistan's top-order has struggled for runs, with Saim Ayub's three consecutive ducks and Sahibzada Farhan's 74 runs at an underwhelming strike rate of 87.
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However, following a spirited outing for Oman's batters, who managed to attack the Indian bowling on Friday evening, Shoaib Akhtar feels confident about Pakistan's ability to take inspiration and replicate a similar style on Sunday.
Shoaib Akhtar backs Pakistan to find ways against Indian bowling
During his conversation with Tamasha Sports, the Pakistan legend pointed out how Oman took on the Indian bowlers despite the presence of in-form Kuldeep Yadav and return of Arshdeep Singh to the playing XI.
He cited the valiant fifties from the 43-year-old Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza in Oman's 21-run defeat and expected Pakistan to replicate similar things.
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"Oman has proven that batters can take on their [Indian] bowling. If their [Oman] batters can score fifties and they had kept the net run-rate in check then they could have chased 188 in Abu Dhabi and it should have ideally happened if it was a bigger team.
"Pakistan needs to have self-belief and change their team. Tweak the batting order and bring Hasan Nawaz at 4, get Hussain Talat in and 3 fast bowlers. Saim and Abrar will help as well," he added.
During the last game, Pakistan middle order particularly succumbed under pressure against Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed Player of the Match award for his 3/18 alongside a near-perfect 2/18 spell from Axar Patel.
Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah and world number 1 T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy are expected to return to the playing XI for the Super Fours after they were rested for the Oman match.