On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the teams for both the ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023. The teams were unveiled at a press conference in Karachi by the recently appointed head selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who previously presided between 2016 and 2019. Babar Azam will serve as the captain of the Pakistani teams in both championships, and Shadab Khan will serve as his assistant. The team management showed its confidence in Faheem Ashraf, who returned to the squad for both series while Shan Masood and Ihsanullah were dropped from the side. Kamran Akmal has urged Faheem Ashraf to start playing like Hardik Pandya. Scroll down to read the scoop about Kamran Akmal Urges Ashraf to play like Hardik Pandya.
Kamran Akmal Urges Ashraf To Play Like Hardik Pandya
Ashraf has recently performed poorly. His last ODI appearance for Pakistan was in 2021. Even his most recent T20I appearances left a lot to be desired. He participated in every game of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Ashraf only managed to pick up one wicket. In three batting innings, he recorded scores of 22, 27, and 1*. Ashraf participated in five games of the Global T20 league in Canada. The 29-year-old scored just 21 runs in three innings. He took seven wickets overall.
Thus, Ashraf’s inclusion as Pakistan gears up for the crucial ODI World Cup in India did come as a surprise. The all-rounder’s performance is still a concern. But former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal thinks Ashraf now has a chance to establish himself as the first choice for the starting XI. The Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who is also the current vice-captain in ODIs, was also pushed by Akmal to pick his brains.
Without Hardik Pandya, the Indian white-ball squad is never complete. In white-ball cricket, he is present each time an Indian team is announced. According to his record, he has used both the bat and the ball to help his team win games. On his own YouTube channel, Akmal said that it was time for Faheem Ashraf to begin acting similarly. Akmal said,
“Since it has been so long, he needs to act more responsibly. Faheem Ashraf should be a lock for Pakistan’s white-ball squad whenever that is released. He needs to improve his all-around skills. He needs to display that accountability.”
In addition, Akmal emphasized that Ashraf must live up to the confidence placed in him. He should repay the support demonstrated by his selection to the squads. The former wicketkeeper remarked,
“The fact that the team management, the coach, Babar, and even Inzamam bhai, who recently arrived, have all shown faith in him, is a significant deal for him. He hasn’t had any standout recent performances, either in domestic cricket or the PSL. Despite that, they’re expressing faith in him, and it’s time he lives up to it.”
Also read, IND vs WI 2023: 3 Fan Moments In 2nd T20I
