As a lot of former players take a trip down memory lane, so did former Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis. One of the best fast bowlers ever in world cricket, Younis had a lot of good and bad memories to talk about. The former Pakistani skipper has been a big fan of a lot of players. However, he decided to talk about Sachin Tendulkar and his batting back in 1999.
The Chennai Test between India and Pakistan is still one of the most talked-about games in the history of the game. India tried to chase 271 but it was a game that could have swung either way. Pakistan eventually managed to win the game by a margin of 12 runs.
Waqar Younis led the line alongside Wasim Akram and leg-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. The latter picked up five wickets in the second innings of that game. However, what stood out was Sachin Tendulkar’s innings.
What Waqar Younis Said About Sachin Tendulkar On The Greatest Rivalry Podcast?
“We took a new ball. First Nayan Mongia hit one in the air. He was possibly in a rush or I do not know what went through his mind. He thought the game was over and they won that game and they got a little complacent, especially Mongia. And once he got out, we were still sort of thinking, ‘That is not going to happen, we are not going to win this game. Till the time Sachin is there, it is not going to happen’.”
Pakistan started well in the fourth innings. However, things were somewhat messed up by the 136-run partnership between Mongia and Tendulkar.
What Waqar Concluded By Saying?
He went on to add, “I do not really know, to be honest, what Sachin was thinking at the time. Because they were cruising, it was not an issue, they still had four wickets in hand. They need 16 runs I think. The way he was batting, it was just out of this world. And then in the very next over, I think, to Saqlain, Sachin hit one in the air and that was it. That confidence, that belief started creeping in that now we will not allow them to get those 15-16 odd runs. Whatever was required.”
“After that, Saqlain just got all over them and there was no looking back. It was hard for them to defend, or to hit out and they were losing wickets. And I think they lost all four wickets in something like five or six overs, or maybe less. It was some Test match. Would say one of the best Tests I watched, I played. I witnessed.”
At that point when Sachin Tendulkar got out, India were 254/7. Within the next six overs, they were all out for 258. Saqlain got Sunil Joshi and last man Javagal Srinath, while Wasim got Anil Kumble out. To everyone’s surprise, the Chennai crowd gave the Pakistani team a standing ovation.
