Wasim Akram struggles to identify India's emerging opener, but remembers, ‘Aap wahi jisne England ko patak patak ke dumba banaya?’

A few days later, the ex-Pakistan captain shared the full account of his encounter with Abhishek. Akram admitted that he initially didn't recognize Abhishek, as well as India's T20I team members Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who were also present at the hospitality box in Dubai during the India vs Pakistan match. However, when Abhishek introduced himself, Akram immediately remembered his name.

"Look, I met him in Dubai. I was in the DP World Box. I didn't recognise him first. This young boy came up to me and said 'I am Abhishek Sharma'. I said wahi 'Abhishek jisne maar maar k England ka dumba banaya'," Akram said on Ten Sports show 'Dressing Room'.

Wasim Akram compares Abhishek Sharma to Shahid Afridi

Shedding light on his conversation with Abhishek, Akram said he told him that this is just beginning, and he has to keep his focus and make sure he plays for India for the next 15-20 years.

"I said 'well done beta'. He's a very good-looking boy. I have seen a couple of clips of his batting. I think he has got a very bright future. I gave him only one piece of advice: I said this is just the start, think you have to play for another 15-20 years for your country.

Comparing Abhishek's blistering 37-ball century to Shahid Afridi's then-fastest ODI century against Sri Lanka in 1996, Akram said the left-handed power hitter has a bright future.

"The kind of talent that he has, I believe he is also a very good fielder. What a player and what an innings. A 37-ball hundred. I had heard of Boom boom Afridi and now this."

Wasim Akram further said, 'I have seen his innings, and I think he is an excellent hard-hitting batsman. He just needs to keep focusing on his game.."

Abhishek finished with 135 off 54 balls in that match, breaking Shubman Gill's record for the highest individual T20I score by an Indian. Abhishek hit as many as 13 sixes in that whirlwind knock of his. The Punjab cricketer has had a bright start to his T20I career. In 17 matches, he has already amassed 535 runs at a staggering strike rate of 193.84. He also has two centuries and two half-centuries to his name.

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