Abbas Afridi Names Indian All-Rounder as His Favorite Power-Hitter

Pakistan’s emerging pacer Abbas Afridi has enjoyed a terrific PSL season once again, and that may be down to where he draws his inspiration from.

The young pacer has revealed his admiration for India’s Hardik Pandya—not for his bowling, but for his clean-hitting prowess with the bat. In a recent media interaction with CricWick, Afridi was asked to name his favourite power-hitter in world cricket. His answer, delivered with authority, was the all-rounder from his neighbouring country.

The praise from Afridi, who’s quickly becoming one of Pakistan’s most promising fast bowlers in white-ball formats, may surprise some fans given the fierce sporting rivalry between Pakistan and India. But for those who follow cricket closely, it reflects the growing mutual respect between players on both sides of the border and an appreciation for all-round skills in modern T20 cricket.

Hardik Pandya, known for his explosive ability to clear boundaries at will, has carved a niche for himself in the T20 world. Whether in the IPL or on the international stage, his late-over blitzes and fearless approach have made him a household name in India and a tough customer for opponents worldwide.

With over 5,500 runs in T20 cricket to go with 203 wickets, it is no wonder he has made an impression on Abbas Afridi. The 24-year-old is one of the brighter prospects in Pakistan cricket. Having already tasted international cricket, Pakistan fans will be hoping that the pacer can turn into a skeuomorph of Hardik Pandya, which would go a long way in solving Pakistan’s most glaring issue of having a decent all-rounder in the team.

Abbas Afridi’s nod of admiration from across borders is another reminder that cricket, at its heart, remains a shared passion—one where you are allowed to grow not just by competing against the best, but by learning from them too.

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