Hardik Pandya Will Become One Of The Best All-Rounders In The World - Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar heaped praise on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya for excellent bowling in the recently concluded England tour. Hardik played a vital role in India’s triumph in both T20I and ODI series victory with his all-round performance against England.

In the first T20I match in Southampton, the 28-year-old mustered his best batting and bowling figures in the shortest format. He scored his maiden T20I fifty to push India to 198/8 and picked four wickets for 33 as India won by 50 runs.

Was happy to see Hardik Pandya perform as a bowler: Shoaib Akhtar

Hardik finished the ODI series with six scalps in three games. He claimed the wickets of Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone to end with 4 for 24 from seven overs. His tight bowling helped India to bowl England out for 259 and eventually win the series.

Hardik has struggled with his fitness in recent years and that kept him in and out of the team. His bowling was a major talking point during the T20 World Cup in UAE last year. Hardik wasn’t fit enough to bowl a full quota of overs and drew flak from pundits for his selection in the squad.

“I was happy to see Hardik Pandya perform as a bowler as he brings an incredible balance to the team. I am also delighted that he has become serious about his fitness. He got a good shock when he was out of the team for 1-2 years as he was a bit unfit casual,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“He seems to enjoy his life on the field. He should not enjoy much off the field as he is a rare talent. He is a great fielder, a great bowler, actually, he is a great addition to the pace battery. He outshone other bowlers and I would advice him to remain focused on his game,” he added.

Hardik Pandya will become one of the best all-rounders in the world: Shoaib Akhtar

Hardik played an important part alongside Rishabh Pant in their 133-run stand for the fifth wicket. The all-rounder hit 71 in 55 deliveries to provide the impetus in a chase of 260 runs. India went to win the game by five wickets on the back of Pant’s sublime hundred (125*).

“He is a very good batter as he played very later and the number of compact shots that he has, I don’t have any doubt that he will become one of the best all-rounders in the world,” Akhtar said. 

Hardik has been rested for India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies but will return to the squad for the five-match T20I series.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya Asked Me To Get Him Through The 2019 World Cup: Shankar Basu