Published: Aug 11, 2023, 02:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 11, 2023, 02:00 PM (IST)
FORMER Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal compared youngster Saud Shakeel with Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Virat Kohli. Akmal reckoned that Shakeel could reach the level of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the coming years.
Shakeel who made his Test debut against England in December played a brilliant knock against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series. He is now the part of ODI squad against Afghanistan but missed in the Asia Cup squad.
Saud became the first Pakistan batter to make a double hundred in Sri Lanka. After his heroics Karman reckoned that the he will reach near Virat Kohli and Babar Azam in the next three to four years.
“I am looking at Saud from a different angle. I am considering him in the league, which includes big names like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, and other five to six players,” Akmal was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“He[Saud] should be reaching near these players in the next three to four years – given the performance he has showcased, particularly when the circumstances were difficult.
“So, this is a good sign for Pakistan cricket when any batsman displays excellent batting performance, that too at an early age in early Test cricket,” Akmal said.
Asia Cup will be played in Sri Lanka and Pakistan and the first match will be played between hosts Pakistan and Nepal on August 30 at Multan Cricket Stadium followed by the opening ceremony.
Arch-Rivals India and Pakistan will lock horns against each other on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Here is the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup:
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.
