It is time Faheem Ashraf starts performing like Hardik Pandya: Kamran Akmal

All-rounder Faheem Ashraf was one of the surprise picks in the Pakistan 18-member squad for the three-game ODI series against Afghanistan, which will be contested between August 22 to 26. Faheem has not had an impressive performance in his last ODI or T20I appearances for Pakistan. 

Former Pakistan player Kamran Akmal feels that Faheem should grab this opportunity to showcase his skills since the all-rounder's form is a concern. The 41-year-old also cited the example of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and urged Faheem to perform like the Indian cricketer.

“The Indian white-ball team is never complete without Hardik Pandya. He is there every time an Indian team is announced in white-ball cricket. You look at his record, he has won matches for his team with both, bat and ball. It is time Faheem Ashraf also starts to perform like him,” Akmal said on his official YouTube channel.

Akmal went on to say that he wants the 29-year-old to establish himself as a first-choice pick in Pakistan's playing XI. 

“It has been so long now, he has to show some maturity. I want Faheem Ashraf to be a surety in Pakistan's white-ball team whenever it's announced yet. He has to develop himself as all-rounder. He has to show that responsibility," he added.

He further insisted Faheem to live up to the trust placed in him. He has picked up only 23 ODI wickets from 31 games at an average of 46.08, while with the bat, he has scored 218 runs at an average of 11.47.

“It's a big thing for him that the team management, the coach, Babar, and even Inzamam bhai, who has just arrived, have all shown faith in him. He doesn't have noteworthy performances of late, in domestic cricket as well as in PSL. Despite that, they're showing confidence on him and it's time he does justice to it,” the former cricketer concluded.