A truly special talent has been spotted in Pakistan. Don't miss the video!
Comparisons between cricketers, past and present, is a never-ending topic of discussion. As much joy as fans derive from watching the game, they get from pitting one cricketer against another too.
The greatest batsman of all time, the best bowler, ultimate all-rounder, etc. - fans have always had a lot to say in terms of individual achievements in the sport.
While most categories would divide opinions, there are a few, like Australians Don Bradman and Shane Warne being the greatest batsman and leg-spinner respectively, where a genuine consensus can be found.
Apart from these two, there is one other category where there is hardly any scope for doubt. That list, of course, included left-arm quicks.
Wasim Akram is the greatest left-arm fast-bowler the game of cricket has witnessed. Period. This is not a statement we're floating, it's a fact accepted by most critics. Not only is the Pakistani great the finest left-arm pacer ever, he would also share the new ball in most people's All-Time World XIs.
Ever since his retirement from international cricket in 2003, fans have tried desperately to spot the next Akram in world cricket. That, however, is a near futile exercise. For it wasn't merely the 414 wickets he picked in 104 Tests that made him special, it was his simple yet beautiful bowling action and the ability to swing the ball at will with great pace that made him standout.
From India's Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan, to Australia's Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, to Pakistan's Mohammad Amir, there have been quite a few who have shown promise, but none could create the same impact that Akram did.
While the quest for the next Akram wil most-likely last a long time, fans' hearts were set racing by a video circulating on social media recently.
A Twitter user from Pakistan shared a video on Wednesday in which a small boy is seen doing left-arm fast bowling. The kid is wearing a kurta-pajama and most-likely bowling in the back of his house in a village. The catch, however, is that he is awesome.
Yes, the little boy, just like Akram, has a fluid action that accelerates as he approaches the crease, swings the ball late, and is deadly accurate. The 64-second video is sure to impress anyone who follows the game.
Here it is
The tweet had Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Ramiz Raja and Shahid Afridi tagged, asking the legends what they thought of the kid. To the utter delight of fans, it was Akram who was the first of the lot to respond.
"Where is this boy??? We have serious talent flowing through the veins of our nation and no platform for these kids to be discovered. It’s time we do something about it #TheFutureOfCricketIsWithOurYouth," wrote Akram.
Here's his tweet
Now, we're not proclaiming that this kid is the next Akram, but there's no doubt that he is a special talent. If given the right training and opportunities, who knows, 'that' debate regarding left-arm pacers might just open up in the future!
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