India and Pakistan are set to lock horns in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday (September 28) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This will be the first final between the arch-rivals in the 41-year history of the continental event, which started back in 1984.

Ahead of the big game, former leg-spinner Amit Mishra has said that he doesn't consider Pakistan as a threat to India or staging an upset like the 2017 Champions Trophy final, considering the widening gulf between two sides.

The Men in Green have lost their last seven matches to India across ODIs and T20Is, including twice in the ongoing Asia Cup by seven wickets and six wickets respectively.

According to Mishra, Pakistan would need to tick a lot of boxes to challenge India in T20Is. However, he cautioned the Suryakumar Yadav-led side to fine-tune its catching skills, keeping in mind that such dropped chances could hurt India badly in the final.

"I don't think so. They don't have the quality. There are a lot of differences in cricket. They have to tick a lot of marks to win against India. They need to handle the pressure. There are a lot of facets where India is ahead of them. India needs to improve its fielding. India is dropping three to four catches in every match. It is rare that after dropping a lot of catches, you win a game. You should not eye a team as a minor, especially in T20Is," Mishra told ANI.

"Earlier, I could say they could challenge in bowling, especially after Abhishek batted against Rauf and Shaheen. The only thing they are better at is talking. They are not even close to us in terms of thinking, strategy, batting, or bowling. In terms of cricket, they don't have an answer for us," he added.

Abhishek Sharma has been the stand-out performer for India in the Asia Cup 2025. The left-handed opener has taken bowling attacks to cleaners, amassing 309 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 204.63, including three half-centuries.

"The best thing that I find about Abhishek is that he was getting starts, but now he is converting them into big scores by playing for a long time. In T20Is, it is beneficial for the team when the set batter stays on the crease for a long time," Mishra said.

With Abhishek and vice-captain Shubman Gill ripping the opposition apart in the powerplay, India’s middle order hasn’t been tasted much in pressure situations. However, Mishra doesn't see the lack of exposure for the middle-order batters as a problem for the defending champions.

"The role is of the entire team. The best thing about India is that the team is not dependent on one player. It is good that Abhishek is in form and Shubman Gill is supporting him well. India has made attempts to test their batters. Shivam Dube was sent high in the batting order. Before him, Sanju Samson scored fifty after being promoted," Mishra stated.

"Hardik Pandya has batted well against India. Whenever India got the opportunity, India tried to allow its middle-order batters to play. Dube has even bowled overs, so that when the moment comes, he is ready," he remarked.

(With ANI Inputs)