Wasim Akram, a former captain of Pakistan and renowned bowler, was asked to choose one Indian player who may definitely damage Pakistan before the crucial match. In addition, Akram listed Suryakumar Yadav as “one of his favorite players” from the present age, even though Rohit, Kohli, and KL Rahul were obvious picks. In March 2021, Suryakumar made his debut for India. Since then, he has developed into a crucial cog in the Indian batting order. When asked about his experiences with SKY, Akram, who had previously worked with Suryakumar at the Kolkata Knight Riders, recalled how some of the shots he had played had rendered him speechless.
In a Press Conference, he praised the Indian batting line up and talked about Suryakumar Yadav’s impact. He said, “Of course, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli are there, but one of my favourite players these days, in this shorter format is Suryakumar Yadav. He has been phenomenal. I saw him the first year when he had joined the Kolkata Knight Riders and he played a couple of games batting at No. 7 and 8. And a couple of shots he played – the one that he picks from the middle of his bat towards fine leg – that’s an unusual and difficult shot to muster.”
Suryakumar has scored 672 runs at an average of 37.33 in 23 T20Is, including five half-centuries, and a recently played hundred of 117 against England at The Oval. Although there are fewer possibilities of Suryakumar beginning in the Asia Cup, Akram believes that by batting at No. 4, the player may do severe harm to Pakistan and the other teams. He was forced to open the innings with Rohit against the West Indies and posted scores of 11, 76, and 24.
Veteran pacer Wasim Akram further added, “And since he has made it to the Indian squad, he has been a treat to watch. I think he is a very dangerous player against either spin or fast bowlers once he sets in and he is actually a 360-degree player who can play either this side, that side… the lap shot, towards cow corner, equally good against spinners.”
