Surprising selections abound in Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the imminent three-game ODI series against Afghanistan, set to unfold between August 22 and 26. Among these choices, the inclusion of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf raises eyebrows, given his recent lackluster performances in both ODI and T20I formats for Pakistan.
Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has emerged as a voice urging Faheem to seize this chance as a platform to showcase his abilities, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding his form. Drawing a parallel to the impact of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya on the Indian white-ball team, Akmal emphasizes that Faheem ought to emulate Pandya’s success.
“Hardik Pandya is an integral fixture in the Indian white-ball lineup. His presence is consistently felt whenever the Indian team is unveiled for limited-overs cricket. His track record speaks volumes, as he has been instrumental in clinching victories with both his batting and bowling prowess. It’s high time Faheem Ashraf aspires to attain a similar stature,” Akmal remarked on his official YouTube channel.
Akmal’s exhortations extend to a desire for Faheem, 29, to cement his position as a primary selection in Pakistan’s playing XI. In Akmal’s view, Faheem needs to cultivate a sense of maturity and reliability that can make him a mainstay in Pakistan’s white-ball endeavors.
“It’s been a considerable duration, and Faheem must exhibit a sense of growth and development. I fervently hope that Faheem Ashraf establishes himself as an unwavering presence in Pakistan’s white-ball lineup every time it is unveiled. His role as an all-rounder requires him to shoulder responsibility and excel,” Akmal asserted.
Implicit in Akmal’s words is a call for Faheem to uphold the trust placed in him by the team management, the coach, Babar Azam, and the recently arrived Inzamam ul Haq. Despite his recent underwhelming performances, Faheem finds himself in a position of faith and Akmal urges him to deliver the performances that reflect this confidence.
Akmal scrutinizes Faheem’s recent track record, underscoring the need for improvement. “Faheem has claimed 23 ODI wickets from 31 games, tallying an average of 46.08. With the bat, he has contributed 218 runs, maintaining an average of 11.47,” Akmal observed.
Ultimately, Akmal’s sentiment is summed up in his parting words, urging Faheem to rise to the occasion and honor the trust reposed in him. “This is a significant juncture for Faheem, wherein the collective belief of the team management and senior figures like Babar and Inzamam bhai is vested in him. Despite the recent dearth of standout performances, this show of faith must be reciprocated with commendable efforts on Faheem’s part,” Akmal concluded, leaving the onus on Faheem to rise to the challenge.
