Sun Feb 23 13:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Legend Akhtar Praises Rising Indian Star Abhishek Sharma
**Dubai, UAE** – Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on young Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma, calling him an “exceptional talent” with a bright future. The two met in Dubai ahead of the high-profile India vs Pakistan match. Akhtar shared a video of their encounter on social media, highlighting Sharma’s recent T20I century against England and offering him some advice.
Akhtar’s commendation follows similar sentiments from former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who advocated for Sharma’s inclusion in the ODI team. Ganguly described Sharma’s recent T20I performances as “unbelievable” and believes he deserves a spot in any international team.
Sharma, who was part of India’s 2018 U19 World Cup-winning team, first gained prominence during IPL 2024 with an impressive 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.22. He made his India debut in July against Zimbabwe, but his maiden T20I century against England cemented his place as a player to watch. Akhtar’s endorsement and Ganguly’s support strongly suggest a promising career ahead for the young batsman.
First Piper 