Veteran Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal reckoned that Team India has found the best replacement for former speedster Zaheer Khan after the emergence of youngster Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer made his debut earlier this year in England and has earned praise, especially for his death bowling as well. Akmal, who played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is, applauded Arshdeep for being intelligent and mentally strong.

“Arshdeep Singh is an incredible bowler. I think the Indian team has found its next Zaheer Khan. Arshdeep has both pace and swing, and he has that bowling intelligence. He’s mentally strong and knows his abilities, and uses them according to the conditions,” Akmal was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

In the opening T20I, Arshdeep Singh got the wickets of Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw and David Miller. Akmal was also impressed with how Arshdeep planned Miller’s wicket in the second over after India opted to field in favourable bowling conditions as well.

“He dismissed Rilee Russouw caught-behind, bowled De Kock out. But the best wicket was that of David Miller because he kept getting the ball to move away from him before bowling a sharp inswinger to bowl him out. He bowls brilliantly and he is mature, has pace and is still young. It’s a good sign for Team India because they needed a left-armer after Zaheer Khan,” he concluded.