NEW DELHI:
Glowing tributes flew in from all corners for Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th Test ton, with Pakistan’s former greats praising the batsmen despite India’s defeat in the first Test.
“Tendulkar can now rightly claim the honour of being the greatest batsman in cricket history,” said former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif. “There are no arguments about him being the most prolific batsmen. He is a complete run-machine and his 50th Test hundred is a testimony of his endurance and passion for the sport.”
Javed Miandad, who played the Test match in Karachi in 1989 where Tendulkar made his debut, said the record seems unbreakable. “It was clear to us when he walked out to bat in as a teenager that he had talent. It’d be very difficult for anyone to reach this pinnacle.”
Former batsman Hanif Mohammad paid tribute to Tendulkar, saying that he made it a point to watch cricket whenever Tendulkar was playing. “I’ve not seen anyone gifted with such natural technical batting excellence, which he has combined with his hard work and commitment. He is, indeed, a phenomena and a role model for every young batsman.”
Moin Khan said he admired Tendulkar’s competitiveness and hunger for runs. “He was always competitive but also polite on the field and I think he is the role model for young cricketers,” said Khan. “He also highlights the fact that as long as a player has passion for cricket and confidence in his skills and is fit, age is never a barrier in international cricket.”
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly called him the “best batsman ever” ahead of the late Don Bradman. “It’s an unbelievable achievement by an unbelievable cricketer,” said Ganguly, adding that the man now dubbed ‘Ton’dulkar by the media could still be playing beyond 40.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2010.
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