Asia Cup 2023: "It Is Time Faheem Ashraf Also Starts To Perform Like Hardik Pandya" - Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal, the former Pakistan player, took a jibe at Faheem Ashraf, while comparing him to Hardik Pandya, and asked him to start performing like the 29-year-old Indian player.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Kamran Akmal criticized Faheem Ashraf and said that he has failed to show quality performances in international and domestic cricket. He also added that the team management showed a lot of confidence in him and it is time for Ashraf to return back.

“It’s a big thing for him that the team management, the coach, Babar, and even Inzamam bhai, who has just arrived, have all shown faith in him. He doesn’t have noteworthy performances of late, in domestic cricket as well as in PSL. Despite that, they’re showing confidence in him and it’s time he does justice to it,” Kamran Akmal said.

Akmal added that Ashraf should be more mature and show responsibility so that he can be a regular starter for Pakistan in the limited-over cricket format.

“It has been so long now, he has to show some maturity. I want Faheem Ashraf to be a surety in Pakistan’s white-ball team whenever it’s announced yet. He has to develop himself as an all-rounder. He has to show that responsibility,” Akmal added.

The Indian white-ball team is never complete without Hardik Pandya: Kamran Akmal sends a message to Faheem Ashraf

The 41-year-old former Pakistan player said that just like in limited-over cricket Hardik Pandya is always included in the Indian team and the same should happen with Faheem Ashraf. Also, Akmal asked Ashraf to perform like him.

“The Indian white-ball team is never complete without Hardik Pandya. He is there every time an Indian team is announced in white-ball cricket. You look at his record, he has won matches for his team with both, bat and ball. It is time Faheem Ashraf also starts to perform like him,” Kamran Akmal on Faheem Ashraf.

Babar Azam-led Pakistan have announced their squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the Afghanistan ODI series and Faheem Ashraf has been included in both the squads as the lone pacer all-rounder.

Pakistan will start their Asia Cup 2023 journey against Nepal on Wednesday (August 30) and will lock horns with India on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.