Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
February 25, 2025: After India’s thrilling encounter with Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram met young Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma. Akram took the opportunity to commend Abhishek for his stunning 135-run performance in the fifth T20I against England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The innings, which came off just 54 balls, is now the highest individual score by an Indian men’s player in T20I cricket.
A heartwarming video of their interaction has been shared by the official social media handle of SunRisers Hyderabad, which showcases Akram’s admiration for the young southpaw. Abhishek’s record-breaking 135 runs surpassed the previous high of 126 runs set by his Punjab teammate and childhood friend Shubman Gill, who achieved the feat against New Zealand in 2023.
Akram, who has long been a respected figure in world cricket, advised the 24-year-old to stay focused as he continues to make a name for himself in the game. Abhishek’s explosive knock was the highlight of the series, where he finished as the leading run-scorer, amassing 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 219.68. His remarkable performance included a century and a fifty.
What made Abhishek’s century even more impressive was the speed at which he reached the milestone. He scored his 100 in just 37 balls, making it the third-fastest century in T20Is among full-member nations, behind only South Africa’s David Miller and India’s Rohit Sharma.
Though Abhishek’s T20I career started with a duck against Zimbabwe, he has shown a consistent upward trajectory, displaying blistering form since his entry into the squad. His debut in the T20I setup came after Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach, ushering in a new era of Indian cricket. Under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, young players like Abhishek have been given opportunities to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Notably, Abhishek also became only the second player from a Test-playing nation to score a century and take multiple wickets in a T20I match. In the fifth T20I, he not only scored 135 runs but also took two wickets for just three runs in the first over, further cementing his all-round abilities.
Wasim Akram, during their meeting in Dubai, called Abhishek a “rising star” of Indian cricket, acknowledging the bright future ahead for the young cricketer. With such performances, Abhishek is rapidly becoming one of India’s most exciting talents in T20 cricket.
