Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday (February 22) hailed Abhishek Sharma as an ‘exceptional talent’, backing the young Indian batter to do ‘wonders in years to come’.

Abhishek, who took the England bowling attack to the cleaners during the T20I series against England earlier this month, seems to be in Dubai to witness the marquee Champions Trophy fixture between India and Pakistan on Sunday (February 23).

On the eve of the game, the southpaw met Akhtar, who was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers of his era.

Shoaib Akhtar was effusive in praise of Abhishek Sharma as he mentioned his recent T20I hundred against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

“I’m glad that I wasn’t born in this era. The reason why people like this young lad. He got a 100 and I watched your innings. It was fantastic, amazing. And I gave him a couple of advice," Akhtar said in a video posted on his official X account.

“Don’t leave your strength. At the same time, become a friend to people who are better than you. There is a great life ahead for this young talented guy. I wish him the best of luck," he added.

Meanwhile, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has advocated for handing an ODI debut to Abhishek sooner than later.

“The way Abhishek Sharma batted in the T20I series (against England) was unbelievable for a left-hander. There is no reason why he can’t play one-day cricket. A player like Abhishek Sharma would be in any cricket team in the world," Ganguly said while speaking at an event in Kolkata.

Abhishek Sharma has represented India in 17 T20Is so far, scoring 535 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 193.85 with two hundreds and as many half-centuries.