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UAE’s Alishan Sharafu has shared his admiration for Hardik Pandya ahead of the Asia Cup, expressing excitement to face India and Pakistan in Group A.
Alishan Sharafu has said that he admires Hardik Pandya (Picture credit: AFP)
UAE’s Kerala-born opener Alishan Sharafu, who is all set to play in the Asia Cup, has said that he admires star India allrounder Hardik Pandya, adding that he is fond of his playing style as well as his calm and composure, which he uses to play match-winning roles for India.
A big admirer of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliance and inspired by Pandya’s resilience, Sharafu is eager to take on the challenge of facing India in the Asia Cup beginning September 9.
UAE is placed in Group A alongside India and Pakistan, with Oman being the fourth side. Sharafu said that the hosts being clubbed with heavyweights like India and Pakistan is a great learning chance.
“I wouldn’t say it’s any pressure or nervousness because you want to do well against these teams. We are looking at it as an opportunity. India, obviously, is one of the best sides in world cricket right now, so who wouldn’t want to do well,” Sharafu said while speaking on Sony Sports.
“We don’t necessarily want to focus too much on the opponent and we want to stick to what we want to do and focus on just playing good cricket. If we back ourselves, then anything could be possible,” Sharafu added.
The UAE opener said that he grew up admiring cricketers like Tendulkar, former India captain MS Dhoni, ace batter Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, but draws a lot of inspiration from Pandya and Ben Stokes.
“Hardik is one player that I really admire. I like the way he plays and the calmness and composure that he offers to his team. He’s a fighter; he has had his ups and downs. As an athlete, that’s one quality that you have to possess just looking at the way he goes about his cricket, it’s just admirable,” Sharafu said.
The 22-year-old has scored 1151 runs in 46 T20Is at an average of 30.28 and a strike rate of almost 134 with eight fifties to his name.
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