U19 world cup : Shoaib Akhtar praises Yashasvi Jaisawal, Says Pakistan youngsters need to learn from India

U19 World Cup 2020: Shoaib Akhtar said he is happy that the future of Indian cricket is in the right hands after the U19 team led by Priyam Garg comfortably outclassed Pakistan U19 in the 1st semi-final in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar heaped rich praise on Yashasvi Jaiswal after the India U19 star shone with a match-winning hundred vs Pakistan in the U19 World Cup semi-final.

Shoaib Akhtar said there is a lesson for every aspiring Pakistan cricketer in Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rags-to-riches story. Akhtar said he was very impressed with India’s ‘mature’ performance in the semi-final and predicted that Jaiswal will certainly play for the senior Indian team in the near future.

Akhtar’s comments come after Yashasvi Jaiswal hit an unbeaten 105 in India’s 10-wicket win over Pakistan in U19 World Cup semi-final in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

India pacers Kartik Tyagi and Sushant Mishra picked up 5 wickets between them while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi shone to restrict Pakistan to 172. Yashasvi Jaiswal also got the big wicket of Pakistan opener Haider Ali, snapping a fledging stand with captain Rohail Nazir.

Akhtar shed light on Jaiswal’s struggles and said the 18-year-old Mumbai batsman focussed on excellence to find success in his nascent cricket career.

“Congratulations to the Pakistan U19 team for reaching the semis. It was a good effort but not good enough to take you to the finals. Pathetic fielding by Pakistan, absolutely pathetic. Despite being U19, you can’t put in dives while fielding? You did not deserve to be in the finals but on the other end congratulations to India for winning the semis,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“They won it and won it comprehensively. Indian team deserves praise and they must be told that there are some players in your team who will surely represent India in the future. I am very happy to see that India’s future is in the right hands.

“India’s boy Jaiswal, he left his village to come to Mumbai and used to sleep in milk dairies. Groundsman told him that I will give you a place in the tent only if you promise that you will come not out tomorrow. He has scored two centuries in U19 and was the highest run-getter in the morning. Jaiswal used to sell pani-puri in the morning. He sold paani-puris to his teammates to have food on his plate.

“Imagine this kind of a guy, who will be street smart and will fight for his place. Rajasthan Royals bought Jaiswal and remember my words that Jaiswal is going to go places. He has the power, passion and interest for the game. He will represent the senior team, this a guarantee. Saxena also played well.

“Pakistan players need to learn from Jaiswal’s history. He has got Rs 2.5 crore (Rs 2.4 crore) contract from Rajasthan Royals. He is running behind excellence and money is running behind him now.”

Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar also took a dig at Pakistan Cricket Board, saying they have not managed to get the established Pakistan cricketers for coaching roles. Akhtar pointed that India are paying big money to secure the services of Rahul Dravid, who is now the coach of the National Cricket Academy.

“The best thing in the Indian team was that they looked very mature. They are mature because their coach is very mature. Who should you bring to coach U19 team?” Akhtar said.

“Who is India’s best middle-order batsman? Rahul Dravid. Rahul Dravid will come for U19 if you give him Rs 5 crore. You need to spend big to bring in a big guy. Here Younis Khan is asking for an opportunity, and he also received an offer but then they (PCB) start bargaining with him. PCB is asking him to take 13 lakh instead of 15 lakh. That’s how you treat your stars?”