New Delhi: Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi has said that he did not intend to question the Indian batting icon’s greatness and was only talking about one incident.
Talking to an Indian news agency via telephone the flamboyant says “I am not denying what I have said. I have seen that Tendulkar was not at all comfortable against Shoaib in Kolkata Test in 1999. It was Shoaib’s first tour of India and he bowled out Sachin without giving him a chance to open his account. He also claimed (Rahul) Dravid’s wicket in both the innings,”.
He said that Shoaib was in full form on that tour and had tremendous speed. He terrorized almost all the batsmen in the world at that time. “I have seen Sachin trembling as I was fielding at square leg. I am still saying that” he added.
He said this was only one incident. Afridi added that Tendulkar never spared Shoaib after that. We all have seen what happened in 2003 World Cup,” he said.
Afridi went on to state that the Indian batsman does not need his certificate.
“Sachin is one of the best batsmen and the whole world knows this. He does not need mine or anybody’s certificate. His records speak for him,” Afridi said.
“I am not raising any question on Sachin’s greatness. Everyone knows that how many sixes Sachin has smashed of Shoaib’s bowling after that. But sometimes it happens. I got out on a duck against a weak opponent like Zimbabwe in Peshawar when I was at the peak of my career,” he said.
“Any batsman can go through this on a good wicket and opposite a good bowler. That was Shoaib’s day and Sachin was nervous that day. Media should not read much into it as it can happen to Don Bradman as well,” added the all-rounder.
Afridi said he is a huge fan of Tendulkar both on and off the field.
“I am a huge fan of Sachin. He is not only a great cricketer but a humble human being as well. I have only one photograph on the wall of my drawing room and that is of Sachin. It has Sachin’s autograph on it, do I need to say more,” said Afridi.
When asked if he will talk to Tendulkar to clarify his position on this issue, he said that there is no need for it.
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