Karachi, Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis paid a rich tribute to Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, labelling him 'the greatest batsman of this era'.
Sachin, 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, reports the Daily Times.
Waqar, who retired in 2004, said
Sachin is the greatest batsman of this era and it was a big achievement
for him to maintain the zeal and fitness for 23 years.
Wasim added that Sachin's records spoke volumes about his achievements.
Sachin made his Test debut
against India's archrivals Pakistan in Karachi in 1989 and Wasim
recalled mocking the young batsman with his bowling partner.
Wasim said he hit Sachin on the
mouth, but he showed a lot of gumption and courage to score a fifty in
the fourth Test in Sialkot, and it was after that innings that they
realised that Sachin is a special talent.
As the leading batsman for
cricket-mad India, Sachin carried the weight of a nation's expectations
on his shoulders, but Wasim said he handled the burden well.
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