Wasim Akram, Sachin Tendulkar
Wasim Akram recalls his first meeting with Sachin Tendulkar. Image Courtesy: Getty

Legendary pacer, Wasim Akram recalled the day when Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut as a 16-year-old against Pakistan back in 1989.

Akram recalls meeting Sachin for the first time

Tendulkar had already made headlines in school cricket when he smashed a record-breaking 664 runs partnership with Vinod Kambli. He was a prolific run-scorer back then and had already made a name for himself.

However, Sachin Tendulkar was disappointed at being left out from the tour of West Indies which was before the Pakistan series. He felt facing the legendary Windies bowlers would have shaped up his career entirely.

Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar made his debut against Pakistan in 1989. Image Courtesy: Getty

From the very first day in international cricket, Tendulkar realized the level of cricket in domestic, and the international arena is very different. When he got dismissed for only 15 runs in his 1st innings, it was a long walk back to the pavilion. Sachin thought it might be the last time he was playing for India. However, he was part of the playing Xi in all four Tests, and by the end of the series, he had already matured as a batsman. On a green Sialkot track, Tendulkar scored a brilliant half-century. It proved the youngster was destined for greatness.

Wasim Akram recalled that most of the Pakistan cricketers had heard about a boy who was scoring big runs in school cricket. When he came to Pakistan, the master blaster looked more of a 14-year-old than a 16-year-old.

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We were surprised to see Sachin, Akram

Wasim Akram, Sachin Tendulkar
Wasim Akram recalls his first meeting with Sachin Tendulkar. Image Courtesy: Getty

“We had read about Sachin…. that there’s a sensation coming.. a 16-year-old. But when he came (out to bat), he looked 14-years-old, and I told him, “Mummy se puchke aaya hai?” (Did you ask your mother before coming?), Akram stated.

In an exhibition match in Peshawar, Sachin Tendulkar smashed Abdul Qadir for four sixes in an over. Immediately, Qadir knew he was a legend in the making.

During an interview after many years, Qadir revealed he had bowled to Tendulkar with all his might and dedication. However, he recalled no batsmen had smashed him like that in his career.

The Pakistan tour made Tendulkar a more matured player. In his very next series, Tendulkar smashed his maiden Test century against England. It was his knock which helped India save a Test match from a precarious situation.

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