PHOTO: AFP
Veteran Indian batsman Virender Sehwag recalled some nervous moments during his ODI debut against Pakistan back in 1999.
Sehwag 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.
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"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.
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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.
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“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.”
This article was originally published in India Today
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