Wasim, Waqar salute “special” Tendulkar
Famed Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis Monday paid rich
tribute to Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, labelling him “the
greatest batsman of this era”.
Sachin Tendulkar |
Tendulkar, 39, announced his retirement from one-day internationals
on Sunday after scoring 18,426 runs in 463 matches with 49 centuries --
all three world records for most runs, matches and hundreds.
“I don't say that a batsman like him will not come but he was the
greatest batsman of this era and to maintain the zeal and fitness for 23
years was a big achievement for him,” said Waqar, who retired in 2004.
“I also feel proud that I played against him and found him a great
player and a nice gentleman.” Wasim said Tendulkar's records spoke
volumes about his achievements.
“It will be tough to match them in the years to come,” Wasim told AFP.
“He was a special talent and a very special cricketer.” Tendulkar made
his Test debut against India's arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi in 1989
and Wasim recalled mocking the young batsman with his bowling partner.
“Sachin was really 16 at the time when he came to Pakistan in 1989 and
Waqar and I thought, 'What will this 16-year-old do against us?'” he
said. “I hit him on the mouth but he showed a lot of gumption and
courage to score a fifty in the fourth Test in Sialkot and after that
innings we realised that he is a special talent.”
AFP |