Raina is best young batsman in world: Akram

New Delhi:

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram on Monday rated Suresh Raina as the best young batsman in the world even though he felt the Indian has some way to go before he can be compared to Sourav Ganguly.

Raina yesterday became only the third batsman in the short history of Twenty20 Internationals to score a hundred when his blazing 60-ball 101 set up India's win over South Africa.

"For me, he is the best young batsman in the world. He did well in the Indian Premier League and is keeping up the good work in the Caribbean world championship. However, it is too early to say that he is the next Sourav Ganguly," Akram wrote in his column for espnstar.com.

"Raina is only playing T20s at the moment, let him play Tests and score some runs, then only a comparison with the great Ganguly can be made. Having said that, there is no denying that Raina is immensely gifted," Akram said.

Talking about Pakistan's comprehensive defeat against Australia, the former skipper questioned Mohammed Asif's absence from the attack.

"A genuine pacer will have a ball in the West Indies and that's what the Australian trio of Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Dirk Nannes did at St Lucia.

"Pakistan's combination also was not right. I do not know why Mohammed Asif is not playing. Mohammed Sami is a talented bowler and he did well against Bangladesh, but against the Kangaroos his length was not up to the mark and that's why he conceded so many runs. Asif has proved time and again his class and should be brought back without further ado," he said.