Pak pacer Rahat Ali rues never playing alongside 'childhood hero' Shoaib Akhtar

Karachi, May 12 (ANI): Pakistan cricketer Rahat Ali, despite being named in Pakistan's One-Day International (ODI) squad, is sad that his childhood hero Shoaib Akhtar will not be playing alongside him at the international level.

The 23-year-old left-arm seamer said it would have been an achievement to be Akhtar's bowling partner in an international match, reports The Express Tribune.

"I've always dreamt of playing for Pakistan, lived every moment on the ground thinking about doing well when I started to play cricket seriously at the age of 16.But it would've been even more special had Akhtar not retired," Ali said.

According to the paper, the muscular seamer may not have the best action and run-up, but his ability to move the ball both ways makes him an exciting prospect.

"It's not my speed but my movement that is my strength. I've worked especially hard bringing the ball back in to the right-handers and I'm sure this will help a lot. I've also worked hard on my fitness, developed strength in my legs to bowl longer spells and to smooth up my run-up. Hopefully, things will fall into the place," he said. (ANI)