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Cricket icon and celebrated fast bowler, Wasim Akram, believes that Hardik Pandya could be India's secret weapon in the forthcoming World Cup. Hardik's standout performance in the Asia Cup 2023 finale against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo bolsters this belief. As India soared to a commanding 10-wicket victory, Hardik's role in dismantling Sri Lanka's line-up was pivotal.
While the limelight was predominantly on the bowling prowess of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who decimated the top and middle order of Sri Lanka, Hardik made significant inroads too. Showcasing his versatile bowling skills, he claimed the crucial wickets of Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, and Matheesha Pathirana, ensuring Sri Lanka could only muster a meager total of 50.
Wasim Akram, Pakistan's top wicket-taker in the international arena, doesn't stop at praising Hardik. He also emphasized India's well-rounded squad, earmarking them as one of the top contenders for the World Cup trophy. He also heaped praises on Kuldeep Yadav, who stunned with a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, subsequently securing the Player of the Series accolade.
"He (Hardik Pandya) is their main weapon in the upcoming World Cup and India are one of the favourite teams to win it. For starters, they are playing at home and we have seen what they can do with the ball," Akram was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
"Kuldeep got wickets as well against the big sides in the Asia Cup. So, it's a complete side. So, well done to the Indian think tank, which has been supporting these boys and making sure that they have the proper squad before the World Cup," he added.
Hardik's Asia Cup heroics weren't limited to the final. He demonstrated his caliber as an all-rounder, scoring a crucial 87 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium, navigating India out of a tight spot after an early top-order collapse. Throughout the series, Hardik amassed 92 runs, boasting an average of 46 and a commendable strike rate of 85.18. His prowess with the ball was equally impressive, capturing six wickets and maintaining an economy rate of just 3.34 - the best among the Indian bowling contingent.
As the World Cup looms, all eyes will be on Hardik Pandya, with experts like Akram backing him to be a game-changer for India.
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