World Cup 2019: Aakash Chopra thanks Abdul Razzaq for offering to coach Hardik but asks why not guide Faheem Ashraf

Despite the recent political vendetta between the subcontinental neighbours – India and Pakistan – have recently found themselves in discussions related to coaching the other. While ace India opener Rohit Sharma was asked at a press conference after his blazing century against the Men in Green at Old Trafford what he would suggest Pakistan in batting, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq recently expressed interest in coaching Hardik Pandya on his bowling.

Razzaq, who scored over 5,000 runs for Pakistan and took nearly 270 wickets in ODIs, came up with his viewpoint about the ace Indian all-rounder after the India-West Indies match at the same Old Trafford on Thursday. The 39-year-old Razzaq took to Twitter to present some technical observations on Hardik bowling action.

“Today I have been closely observing Hardik Pandya and I see a lot of faults in his body balance while hitting the bowl hard. I observed his footwork as well and I see that has also let him down sometimes,” he wrote, adding that he could make Hardik the world’s best all-rounder if he gets to spend two weeks with him.

So today I have been closely observing Hardik pandya and I feel like I see a lot of faults in his body’s balance when hitting the bowl hardly and I observed his footwork aswell and I see that also let’s him down sometimes and I feel like if I give him Coaching in for example UAE

— Abdul Razzaq (@ARazzaqPak) June 27, 2019

Fahim Ashraf was dropped after England series

Former India Test opener Aakash Chopra, now a commentator and analyst, appreciated Razzaq for his offer but also asked whether he should do the same for Faheem Ashraf, the 25-year-old promising bowling all-rounder who has spent just a year in international cricket and played 23 ODIs so far. Ashraf was picked for Pakistan’s preliminary squad for the World Cup after having a productive season at this year’s Pakistan Super League with 21 wickets (he took 6 for 19 as his best).

But his ordinary performance in the ODI series against Pakistan just ahead of the World Cup saw him getting dropped from the squad, alongside Junaid Khan and Abid Ali. The trio was replaced by Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Asif Ali, respectively.

Nice of Abdul Razzak to offer assistance…but wouldn’t it be nice for Pakistan if he invested the same effort in Fahim Ashraf?? Just asking…. what’s the view from across the border on this? #Pandya #CWC19

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 28, 2019

Chopra had also sought opinions from Pakistan on the matter and a lot of people came up with negative reactions. While some said that Razzaq was not something to be taken seriously, others said he should instead focus on his own country’s players before offering to coach to players from other sides.