Wasim Akram Praises Abhishek Sharma’s Record-Breaking 135 in T20I Clash

Dubai, UAE – Following India’s thrilling encounter with Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025, legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram met with India’s rising cricket sensation, Abhishek Sharma. The meeting came in the wake of Abhishek’s explosive 135-run innings off just 54 balls in the fifth T20I against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, a knock that has etched his name into the record books as the highest individual score by an Indian men’s player in T20 Internationals.

Akram, a cricketing icon known for his lethal swing bowling, lauded the 24-year-old left-hander, calling him a “rising star” for India. “What an incredible innings. To score 135 in a T20I is special, but to do it with such flair and composure is remarkable. My advice to him is simple—stay focused and keep working hard,” Akram said during their heartfelt exchange, captured in a video shared by the SunRisers OrangeArmy Official X handle. The interaction underscored a rare moment of cross-border camaraderie amid the intense India-Pakistan rivalry.

Abhishek’s Mumbai masterclass not only clinched him the series’ leading run-scorer title—with 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a blistering strike rate of 219.68—but also shattered the previous Indian T20I record of 126 not out, set by his Punjab teammate and childhood friend Shubman Gill against New Zealand in 2023. His century, reached in a mere 37 balls, ranks as the third-fastest in T20Is among full-member nations, trailing only David Miller and Rohit Sharma, who both scored tons in 35 balls.

The young all-rounder’s journey in T20Is has been a tale of redemption. After debuting with a duck against Zimbabwe in 2024, Abhishek has seized every opportunity under the new coaching regime led by Gautam Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid. His inclusion in the T20I squad reflects India’s push to blood young talent, and Abhishek has repaid that faith with consistent fireworks. In the fifth T20I, he didn’t just dazzle with the bat—scoring 135—but also bowled a match-defining first over, taking two wickets for just three runs, making him only the second player from a Test-playing nation to achieve a century and multiple wickets in a single T20I.

The Dubai meeting with Akram added a personal milestone to Abhishek’s stellar run, blending mentorship with admiration. As India’s T20I setup evolves, Abhishek Sharma stands out as a beacon of its future, armed with records, resilience, and now, the blessings of a cricketing legend.

You Might Also Like:

J&K Deputy CM Slams Mehbooba Mufti Over Alcohol Ban Failure During PDP Rule

Hardik Pandya’s ₹7 Crore Watch Steals Spotlight in India’s Champions Trophy Win Over Pakistan

Amit Shah Engages with 250 Jammu and Kashmir Children Under ‘Watan Ko Jano’ Program in Delhi