South Africa vs Pakistan 1st ODI is set to be played on 2nd April 2021. Pakistan will play three ODIs and four T20Is against South Africa. Pakistan team management is aware about the threat posed by the South Africa spinner, Tabrez Shamsi. To tackle him and to get a hang of left-arm wrist spin, Pakistan management have invited a 17-year old spinner, Faisal Akram to bowl at their training camp ahead of the SA series.
It may come as a surprise for many cricket fans reading this, but Faisal has received a bat from the Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Faisal Akram said: “I have had conversations with him (Hardik) on Instagram. He has sponsored a bat for me from there (India),” in an interview to a Pakistani website, ‘Pakistan Cricket'. The 17-year old might have also taken some inspiration from Pandya as he wants to develop his batting skills so that he can be termed as an all-rounder. “I work hard on my batting. I can also do some hitting, so my aim is to represent Pakistan as an all-rounder.”
He has played for Multan Sultans in the PSL. He spoke about playing with Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi, he said: “Mushtaq bhai is my favourite coach because he is also a leg-spinner, so I have learned a lot from him. Shahid bhai also gave me tips and confidence.” In the interview he also said, “Waqar (Younis) bhai didn’t tell me to copy him (Shamsi). He just asked me to give my best, so that I can provide some good practice to Pakistan batsmen before South Africa tour. I also gained experience by bowling to them.”
The Highlight of his career so far has been the wicket of Babar Azam which he picked during a practice game in Pakistan recently. Here is the video of the same:
After picking Babar Azam, Akram’s aim is to pick up the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. He said: “My dream is to get the wicket of Virat Kohli and hopefully it will come true.”
“My goal right now is to play the Under-19 World Cup for Pakistan. I am hoping to be the best bowler on this upcoming tour,” Akram concluded.