Shoaib Akhtar is among many who foresee a great future for Axar Patel in cricket as the former Pakistani pacer predicted that the spinner might become the fastest bowler to get 100 wickets if he continues to perform in the same manner as he did in the Test series against England.
Patel, who made his international debut in the series against England, picked up 27 wickets in three matches, becoming the highest wicket-taker for India in the series.
Calling Patel an intelligent bowler who took control against England players, Akhtar said in a video that if the spinner had a few series like this, he would soon pick a 100 wickets.
“Not only did he get a suitable wicket to bowl on, but he is an intelligent bowler too. He wouldn’t have given a chance to the English players when the control was in his hands, and that is what he did,” Akhtar said in the video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
“If he keeps getting a few series like this, he might just become the fastest bowler to 100 wickets. Having said that, England should have played him better,” he added.
The 27-year-old spinner took his fourth five-wicket haul in the series during the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. India bowled out England for 135, winning the match by an innings and 25 runs.
Patel said that the confidence he gained throughout the series helped him get more wickets.
“I think the confidence helped me. I got wickets in the first game and kept on carrying the confidence,” he had said during the post-match presentation.
