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Shoaib Akhtar meets Abhishek Sharma (File Photo: Screengrab/X/Shoaib Akhtar)
Former legendary Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recently met India’s young batting superstar and the rising talent Abhishek Sharma in Dubai. Akhtar met Abhishek Sharma a day ahead of the high-octane clash between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Both teams will play each other in the fifth game of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on February 23, at 2:30 PM (IST).
Coming back to Akhtar, he shared a video on his official X handle (formerly Twitter). In this video, he heaped massive praises on Abhishek Sharma and also wished him luck for the future.
“People like this lad [pats Abhishek on his left shoulder], he got a hundred [referring to Abhishek's recent 135-run blitz against England]. '[Telling Abhishek] I watched your innings by the way'. It was fantastic, amazing. I gave him advice, don't leave his strength and become friends with people who are better than you, and [a] great life ahead for this talented guy. I wish him best of luck,” said Akhtar while praising Abhishek Sharma.
“And Abhishek, yaar, aage ja aur tune saare record todne hai haan (buddy, keep prospering and you have to break every record going forward, okay?)? Be good'. He's a rising star for India, I'm telling you. Keep watching him. Take care,” he added later while addressing Abhishek Sharma directly.
The video of this heartfelt moment between the former cricketing legend and the rising Indian superstar as soon as Akhtar shared it on his official handle.
Here’s the video:
Just ran into an exceptional talent Abhishek Sharma here in Dubai. He'll do wonders in years to come. pic.twitter.com/8u6RNMZooS
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) February 22, 2025
Notably, Abhishek Sharma stunned everyone with his sensational century in the five-match T20I series against England in India. He smashed a blistering century off just 37 balls. This century earned him a lot of praise from the former cricketing greats and the experts of the game.
Speaking of India vs Pakistan clash in the Champions Trophy 2025, both teams will be facing each other in the Champions Trophy for the first after playing each other in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.