Did you know: Hardik Pandya sponsored a bat for a Pakistan Under-19 legspinner

Faisal Akram, the 17-year-old legspinner has been in the news recently for his skill. In a practice match at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore, Akram bamboozled Babar Azam with his stock ball and bowled him. Akram believes it’s a memory he will cherish forever. However, in a chat with Cricket Pakistan,  Akram has revealed that he actually got a bat signed by India cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

“I was actually in touch with him on Instagram. He responded and sponsored a signed bat for me,” Akram revealed. In the chat, Akram stated that his dream wicket was Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli. “My dream is to get the wicket of Virat Kohli and hopefully it will come true,” Akram stated.

Who is Faisal Akram?

Akram made big strides in Under-16 cricket. In one match at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai against in 2019, Akram took 5/26. Akram played U16 cricket for only one year and ended PCB’s U16 Pentangular tournament during the 2018-19 season as the highest wicket-taker.

Akram was included in Pakistan’s U19 team and continued to impress. So far, he has picked 27 wickets in only 10 matches during the 2020/21 National U19 One Day Cup. Pakistan’s team management had recently invited the highly-rated teenager to their training camp ahead of the South African tour.

Pakistan will play three ODIs and four Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa. But the tour is coinciding with the IPL that will begin on April 9. Many key Proteas players are missing the current series due to their IPL commitments. On the other hand, Pakistan’s players have not got a chance to play in the IPL ever since 2008. 

Akram’s dismissal of Azam might have only been a practice match, but getting the best batsman from Pakistan has definitely gotten the world’s attention.