"He didn’t need to measure his..." - Sachin Tendulkar lauds legendary Pakistan bowler who troubled him

Former legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar dominated the cricketing world with his batting excellence for almost a period of more than two decades. The 48-year-old is known for ruining the careers of many renowned bowlers of the full-time Test-playing nations across the cricketing world. Whereas there were also the bowlers who shared a tough rivalry with Sachin Tendulkar.

Advertisment

The leading run-scorer in the history of cricket alongside the most centuries to his name in ODI and Test formats of the game had also a great rivalry with one of the all-time pace-bowling greats Wasim Akram. Former legendary Pakistan speedster Akram was known for his amazing swing, he was also dubbed the “Swing of Sultan” owing to his amazing art of swinging the ball both ways.

Akram bowled a lot to Sachin Tendulkar in the decade of 1990s. Both the players enjoyed a fierce rivalry on the field. Recently the former legendary opener lauded Akram’s excellence with the ball and the latter’s amazing talent for reverse swing.

When you play against someone of that caliber, it lifts your game - Sachin Tendulkar

Advertisment

“Cricket is a team sport, but everything goes back to the rivalry of batter and bowler, and in Wasim Akram, every batter had a wonderful rival – when you play against someone of that caliber, it lifts your game as well, and the experience stays with you forever. Wasim was a master. He made the ball talk,” reads the excerpt from Akram’s book written by Sachin Tendulkar.

“His run-up was so natural. Unlike most fast bowlers, he didn’t need to measure his steps; he could just start from anywhere and still be as effective. He ran through the crease so quickly you hardly had time to set yourself up. When I first faced him, I’d never encountered anyone like Wasim. Every game we played against each other I remember. and every time we meet now it is in warm friendship,” he added later.