Akbar Ali Is Way More Talented Than I Was At His Age: Mushfiqur Rahim Lauds Under-19 World Cup Winner

Bangladesh’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has lauded on one of Bangladesh’s young prodigies, Akbar Ali. Ali has become an influential name in Bangladesh cricket as the stalwart took Bangladesh to their maiden ICC Under 19 World Cup title in the recently concluded tournament.

Bangladesh won their first-ever ICC tournament as the team scripted history by beating India in the final. The game was nothing short of a thriller as it went down the wire until the final moments. Akbar Ali played a crucial knock of 43 runs in the final to ensure his team’s victory on the grandest stage.

Now, his senior compatriot, Mushfiqur Rahim, has lauded the young prodigy and claimed that even he wasn’t as talented as Akbar Ali is today.

Mushfiqur Rahim Heaps Praise On Akbar Ali

Although Akbar and Mushfiqur both are wicketkeeper-batsmen, however, Mushfiqur thinks that Akbar is much better and gifted than Mushfiqur himself. Mushfiqur praised Akbar’s approach during the final innings. The way he batted has impressed everyone, including Mushfiqur.

Admiring Akbar’s talent Mushfiqur says, “I was not talented like Akbar, the place he belongs now. I was very charmed watching him play. At that time a game of our National League was going on in Sylhet. I saw a match ball by ball after the game.”

“What he played in the final match under immense pressure is absolutely gorgeous. Whatever Akbar claims but the truth is with the bat he is a class batsman and at the time of captaincy he is completely different. After watching his firm batting I was hoping that this man can do this. He was batting like a silent killer and ignored what was happening in the other side,” Mushfiqur added.

Waited For The Perfect Bowl To Hit The Boundary: Akbar Ali

There was a pressure of losing wickets at one end, but at the other end, Akbar managed to score boundaries at a regular rhythm. Mushfiqur was curious enough to know as to how Akbar managed to play superbly under that pressure.

Akbar replied, “After the fall of four early wickets, they brought all the fielders within 30 yards. There was hardly a scope for a single. I was waiting for a perfect ball to hit it in the boundary. I knew that if I can manage boundaries they will remove these close attach. And I played as I planned.” 

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