The former Pakistan cricketer, Wasim Akram, said that he was unable to recognize Abhishek Sharma during the February 23 match between India and Pakistan, but later realized that it was the same player who had blasted the Englishmen in a recent T20I match.
What followed was a much-shared video showing Akram talking with Abhishek, complimenting him on his brilliant hundred against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai earlier this month.
After watching the Afghanistan-England game, where the former knocked 2019 ODI World Cup winners out of the Champions Trophy, Akram explained that he didn’t initially recognize Abhishek.
“I met him in Dubai. I was in the DP World Box. I did not recognize him. This little boy came to me and said, ‘I am Abhishek Sharma.’ I said, ‘Wahi ‘Abhishek jisne maar maar k England ka dumba banaya?'” Akram said on the Dressing Room show.
I told him, “Well done, beta.” He is a handsome boy. I have seen a couple of video clips of his batting. I think he has a great future. I offered him only one piece of advice: I said this is just the beginning; you think you are going to give the next 15 to 20 years serving your country,” Akram added.
Comparing the splendid 37-ball hundred of Abhishek with Shahid Afridi’s then-fastest one-day hundred against Sri Lanka in 1996, Akram said that it has bright prospects.
Afridi in 1996 blasted the quickest century ever in ODI cricket in only 37 balls against Sri Lanka.
“I believe he is also a very good fielder with immense talent. What a player! What an innings! A hundred in 37 balls. I had heard about Boom, Boom Afridi, and now this,” Akram said.
“I have seen his innings and believe he is a dandy hard-hitting batter; he just needs to focus on the game,” he added further.
Abhishek scored 135 runs off just 54 balls in that match against England, breaking best friend Shubman Gill‘s record for the highest individual T20I score by an Indian.
In that whirlwind innings, Abhishek hit 13 sixes, rendering the English bowlers impotent.
