NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag recalled some nervous moments from his ODI debut against Pakistan back in 1999.
Sehwag told he had walked in to bat at number 7 against Pakistan but unfortunately was only able to last two deliveries before falling to the mighty Rawalpindi Express.
The Indian veteran admitted that Akhtar was so quick that he was unable to comprehend what had hit him.
“I couldn’t see the ball, it was that quick,” Sehwag told the Hindustan Times.
Sehwag only managed to score one run in India’s seven-wicket defeat, but skipper Sourav Ganguly told the young player not to lose heart.
He later went on to hammer 757 runs at an average of 58 for Delhi in the 2000-01 season and was promptly picked for the tour of South Africa.
Sehwag quickly became one of the most dangerous opening batsmen in international arena.
His massive triple-hundred knock in Multan against Pakistan allowed India to dominate the Pakistani side in their own home ground.
“In Multan, Sachin and I had a big partnership,” he said. “After my fourth six, Tendulkar came to me and told me not to play risky shots.
“I was batting on 100-odd then, and till 295, I didn’t hit a six.
“When I reached 295, I told Sachin, I’ll hit a six if Saqlain comes to bowl. Saqlain came and I hit a six to get to the triple hundred.”
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
