"I was very sad because Sachin Tendulkar got out for 98 (2003 World Cup)" : Shoaib Akhtar

[MenInG]

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is known to speak his mind, and once again he has given a statement that will grab the eyeballs. The 44-year-old revealed on a Helo Live session that he was sad after dismissing Sachin Tendulkar for 98 in the 2003 World Cup match between the two sides.

"I was very sad because Sachin got out for 98. It was special innings, he should have touched the century mark. I wanted him to hit the century. For that bouncer, I would have loved to see a sixer, as earlier he hit."

In that match, Akhtar was taken to the cleaners as he gave away 72 runs in his quota of overs, and picked a wicket, that of Tendulkar. India chased down 274 easily in that encounter.

Aktar went on to praise Tendulkar and said, "Tendulkar batted in the toughest era of cricket. If he had to get the chance now, he may hit more than 1.30 lakh runs. So it's not good to make a comparison between Sachin and Kohli."

In current situation there are many who are suggesting that cricket should be resumed in empty stadiums, but Akhtar believes that it is just marriage without a bride.

"Playing cricket in the empty stadium may be viable and durable for Cricket boards. But I do not think we can market this. Playing cricket in an empty stadium is like marriage without a bride. We need crowds to play games. I hope the corona situation will be normalized within a year."

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...-in-2003-world-cup-shoaib-akhtar-2624823.html

 

[Bhaijaan]

Rashid Latif also shared last week that whenever he kept to Sachin, secretly he wished Sachin kept batting because he was a special player.

A giant of the game, Sachin.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Also much respect to Shoaib Akhtar for carrying on despite so much pain. A real fighter. Shabby we love you. Jazba and Daleri forever

 

[Abdullah719]

Akhtar went on to praise Tendulkar and said, "Tendulkar batted in the toughest era of cricket. If he had to get the chance now, he may hit more than 1.30 lakh runs. So it's not good to make a comparison between Sachin and Kohli."

The master of hyperbole...

 

[Bhaijaan]

Akhtar went on to praise Tendulkar and said, "Tendulkar batted in the toughest era of cricket. If he had to get the chance now, he may hit more than 1.30 lakh runs. So it's not good to make a comparison between Sachin and Kohli."

The master of hyperbole...

He said it metaphorically

 

[big_gamer007]

1.3 lakh runs

Shoaib is one of the most enjoyable analysts, he talks without thinking and is always fun to hear him recount old stories.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

This guy is an official embarrassment to our nation.

 

[AFM]

Didn't he say in his book that Sachin's legs shook in fear when he faced him

 

[proud_pakistani]

How much attention does he want. He needs to spread out these quotes or he will run out of content.

 

[chazam]

he seems to be overdoing it a lot for views. Should tone down a bit. Losing all respect that he had.
On the other hand, if you see most of the comments its my fellow Indian posters saying "I love you" to him.
So he has established a market. Now he is just milking it.

 

[Slim]

Shabby bhai, kuch bhiii.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Sachin's only grudge with Shoaib was of the 1999 run out. But when Shoaib met Sachin at his house in Mumbai, Sachin asked him why he did it and Shoiab explained that he did not do it intentionally.

After that both legends have been good friends and inseparable besties, a fact which irks many people who do not believe in Aman ki Asha.

 

[Bhaijaan]

If Sachin and Shoaib played in one team. Sachin would have either got Akhtar removed from the system forever within his first couple of years or he would have helped Akhtar become more focussed to achieve double his current stats.

At the same time, Shabby would have helped Sachin win one more world cup long ago and jabe a much superior win %

Sad truth is that after Wasim Akram left, Akhtar was a wild horse in the field.

 

[Hawkeye]

Didn't he say in his book that Sachin's legs shook in fear when he faced him

Which they did. Almost everyone's. It's no joke facing a 100mph bowler.

But, what does that have anything to do with what Shoaib said? Irrelevant and offtopic post.

 

[trickyone]

It will definitely fetch him few million views from our neighbors and $$$$

 

[Hawkeye]

1.3 lakh runs

Shoaib is one of the most enjoyable analysts, he talks without thinking and is always fun to hear him recount old stories.

Yes, Shoaib isn't known anywhere for technical analysis most of the times, and he himself wouldn't portray himself as one, I doubt it.

 

[Bewal Express]

Tendulkar played really well, but the PK bowling was really poor that day.

 

[Mesozoic]

"I was very sad because Sachin got out for 98. It was special innings, he should have touched the century mark. I wanted him to hit the century. For that bouncer, I would have loved to see a sixer, as earlier he hit."

Ye kuch zyada ho gaya....

 

[Mesozoic]

Or did he feel that they will win the game if Sachin scored a 100 ?

 

[Slog]

Lol I remember there used to be a jinx that whenever Sachin scored 1000 against Pakistan, India lost. Maybe that’s why

 

[Bhaijaan]

Lol I remember there used to be a jinx that whenever Sachin scored 1000 against Pakistan, India lost. Maybe that’s why

It was a serious jinx, ask me bro.

Tendulkar player some breathtaking knocks where none of the other team-mates turned up at all.

 

[Saj]

Fanboyesque comments.

He should be saying I wish I had got Sachin out for a duck and we won that match.

Come on Shoaib, stop embarrassing yourself mate.

 

[Robert]

Strange. I didn't want to see Tendulkar bat. I wanted to see him walking back to the pavillion.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Strange. I didn't want to see Tendulkar bat. I wanted to see him walking back to the pavillion.

Then you are a nationalist unlike Akhtar, who appreciated the fine wine that was Tendulkar.

 

[sshakir411]

Heheh Shoaib totally cashing in from Indians on YouTube. Throw Sachin in the tittle along with few praises...million views easy. Actor can be smart when he wants to.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Strange. I didn't want to see Tendulkar bat. I wanted to see him walking back to the pavillion.

You have to have a magnamous heart and a larger than life personality to be able to truly appreciate your nemesis.

This what separates legends from ordinary masses.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Heheh Shoaib totally cashing in from Indians on YouTube. Throw Sachin in the tittle along with few praises...million views easy. Actor can be smart when he wants to.

To be honest, if Shoaib Akhtar even calls Sachin a chooza he will get 10 times more views anyway.

It is his magnanimity that he finally chooses to be the bigger man.

We are in India, truly in love with this new intellectual Shoaib and the crusader for mankind and world peace.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Shoaib Akhtar and Sachin Tendulkar, if they played as team mates, we would ne watching a documentary like The Last Dance right now about their world dominance.

 

[Third_Umpire]

YouTube comment. This will bring in the big bucks because silly Indians will get their heart strings pulled

 

[FreePalestine]

To be honest, if Shoaib Akhtar even calls Sachin a chooza he will get 10 times more views anyway.

It is his magnanimity that he finally chooses to be the bigger man.

We are in India, truly in love with this new intellectual Shoaib and the crusader for mankind and world peace.

I can tell that you love him because you appear to have taken on his penchant for hyperbole! I think you are being sarcastic. Enjoyed the idea of an ‘intellectual Shoaib’. Which Shoaib are you talking about here?

He is good entertainment value and speaks from the heart, so I don’t care what he says, but certainly would not describe him as a ‘crusader for mankind and world peace’ !

 

[Robert]

You have to have a magnamous heart and a larger than life personality to be able to truly appreciate your nemesis.

This what separates legends from ordinary masses.

I don’t have a nemesis. I just want England to beat the other lot. If an Indian #8 closed in on 100 in a totally lost cause, I would be pleased if he got to it. Likewise if Tendulkar battered Australia I would be pleased.

 

[Saj]

Wonder why it's taken him so long to say this.

 

[Markhor]

Shoaib get off your knees mate.

 

[Savak]

It's blatantly obvious this is all damage control and a desperate attempt to maintain the youtube subscriber base after Afridi's comments

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

India Sachin biktaa haii bahii , aur shoib apna hustler hai

 

[wasimjunior]

Fanboyesque comments.

He should be saying I wish I had got Sachin out for a duck and we won that match.

Come on Shoaib, stop embarrassing yourself mate.

Damage limitation after lalas antics

Shoaib knows where the money is

 

[chazam]

Heheh Shoaib totally cashing in from Indians on YouTube. Throw Sachin in the tittle along with few praises...million views easy. Actor can be smart when he wants to.

People want to get entertainment.seeing ex Pakistani cricketer singing praises for an Indian player is the biggest form of entertainment Indians can get and his popularity is because of that.he is the fastest to million subscribers and that has gone to his head.shoaib is becoming a clown.

 

[tyron_woodley]

lol. at it again.
Have some repsect for your country man.

Anyway no. sachin wouldn't have scored as much in modern era. More tapes and access to far better technology to work him out. He would have found it just as difficult in the current era as he did in 2000's.

 

[sweep_shot]

Strange comment from Shoaib.

Tendulkar could've been out much earlier had the catch been taken (dropped by Abdul Razzaq).

 

[Indiafan]

That was a brute of a delivery which took Sachin completely off guard

 

[Savak]

lol. at it again.
Have some repsect for your country man.

Anyway no. sachin wouldn't have scored as much in modern era. More tapes and access to far better technology to work him out. He would have found it just as difficult in the current era as he did in 2000's.

Tendulkar only retired in 2013, not very far off from the modern era. He would have done even better if he was in his peak in this time period.

 

[adzzy786]

Strange comment from Shoaib.

Tendulkar could've been out much earlier had the catch been taken (dropped by Abdul Razzaq).

I’m sure Razzaq wanted Tendulkar to get a hundred too so dropped him on purpose.

What ridiculous comments from Shoaib

 

[shamaan]

What a idiot absolute ridiculous stating that

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Or did he feel that they will win the game if Sachin scored a 100 ?

Lol this is the best comment in this thread.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Tendulkar only retired in 2013, not very far off from the modern era. He would have done even better if he was in his peak in this time period.

In odi? it's a batting game now but bowlers are better imo. It's hard to say.

 

[Shazzam]

Whats sad is that he is talking about a India vs Pakistan match. Which is a match both countries don’t want to lose.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

On This Day: 1st March 2003, Sachin Tendulkar's most famous half-century

Still cannot forget the anticipation for this match in the 2003 World Cup. India and Pakistan have not played each other for 3 years and calendars were blocked for this match from the time the schedule was announced.

Those days chasing anything over 250 was still a steep task - especially against an attack of Akram, Waqar, Shoaib.

Tendulkar launched an astonishing attack and actually sustained it even after Sehwag and Ganguly got out in successive balls.

In my book that 98 was Tendulkar's most famous half century.

 

[liam26]

What a day that was. 18 years have passed since then.

 

[Suleiman]

Sachin’s greatest WC innings

 

[Hyperion66]

Really spanked a few phaast bowlers, made them cry

On a serious note, that was a special innings from the little master. Chasing 270+ in wc in early 2000s against the likes of Akram, Waqar and Shoaib, that was truly the innings of a batting genius.

 

[ChTab]

Although I was around 09 at that time, but I still vaguely remember that innings. Now I wish it would have been amazing if he could convert that 90 odd into a hundred. That certainly would make it greatest inns ever by a batsman in WC.

 

[Indiafan]

Really spanked a few phaast bowlers, made them cry

On a serious note, that was a special innings from the little master. Chasing 270+ in wc in early 2000s against the likes of Akram, Waqar and Shoaib, that was truly the innings of a batting genius.

In hindsight though, that was a very flat pitch and Pakistan should have scored more. Ball was doing nothing and batsmen like Sachin were able to just play through the line and hit on the up

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

I just found something really shocking - Pakistan bowled 19 wides and 5 no balls and gave away a bye too in that match. That is 4 extra overs they bowled and 4 extra overs that Indian batsmen had the opportunity to score runs.

 

[Hyperion66]

In hindsight though, that was a very flat pitch and Pakistan should have scored more. Ball was doing nothing and batsmen like Sachin were able to just play through the line and hit on the up

Flat pitch or not he did that against perhaps the greatest LOI fast bowling unit, in terms of individual skillset, ever assembled. Waqar, Wasim, a peak Shoaib and Razzaq, that was one scary bowling unit. We have seen the likes of Wasim and Shoaib taking the pitch out of the equation either through sheer skill or brute pace so many times in the past. It was truly a class vs class battle that Sachin won with flying colors.

 

[Hyperion66]

I just found something really shocking - Pakistan bowled 19 wides and 5 no balls and gave away a bye too in that match. That is 4 extra overs they bowled and 4 extra overs that Indian batsmen had the opportunity to score runs.

They never believed in plan B and relied too much on individual skills. When Sachin started firing on all cylinders they just lost it on a psychological level. Even after Sachin got out Dravid and Yuvi took us to victory playing no risk cricket. Hell Dravid and Kaif batted at like 55 strike rate and we still won with almost 30 balls to spare

 

[Savak]

Flat pitch or not he did that against perhaps the greatest LOI fast bowling unit, in terms of individual skillset, ever assembled. Waqar, Wasim, a peak Shoaib and Razzaq, that was one scary bowling unit. We have seen the likes of Wasim and Shoaib taking the pitch out of the equation either through sheer skill or brute pace so many times in the past. It was truly a class vs class battle that Sachin won with flying colors.

Wasim Waqar were past it by then but Sachin has taken apart Wasim, Waqar in their pomp as well. He was just too good that day, its my favourite knock from him as it was a classic example of a great player truly rising to the occasion.

 

[Hyperion66]

Wasim Waqar were past it by then but Sachin has taken apart Wasim, Waqar in their pomp as well. He was just too good that day, its my favourite knock from him as it was a classic example of a great player truly rising to the occasion.

I couldn't agree more Savak except that even a past his prime Wasim was capable of doing magics.

 

[NishanKonar]

In hindsight though, that was a very flat pitch and Pakistan should have scored more. Ball was doing nothing and batsmen like Sachin were able to just play through the line and hit on the up

274 was tough target in 2003 ( we are talking pre T20 era ) on a pitch was a bit on the slower side

However the Pakistan bowling attack although great on paper was a bit average in reality. Wasim & Waqar were well past their prime. Shoaib was too erratic & more focused on speed guns. Afridi & Razzaq were bits & pieces cricketers those days

 

[jeetu]

Pakistan's bowling stats in 2003 WC
[table=class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]Econ [/td][td]SR [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram [/td][td]6 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]16.75 [/td][td]4.23 [/td][td]23.7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shoaib Akhtar [/td][td]6 [/td][td]11 [/td][td]22.9 [/td][td]5.72 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waqar Younis [/td][td]6 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]25.28 [/td][td]5.86 [/td][td]25.8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saqlain Mushtaq [/td][td]3 [/td][td]4 [/td][td]19.25 [/td][td]4.12 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shahid Afridi [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5.43 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Abdul Razzaq [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]129 [/td][td]4.96 [/td][td]156 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]15 [/td][td]3.75 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

 

[Hyperion66]

Pakistan's bowling stats in 2003 WC
[table=class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]Econ [/td][td]SR [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram [/td][td]6 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]16.75 [/td][td]4.23 [/td][td]23.7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shoaib Akhtar [/td][td]6 [/td][td]11 [/td][td]22.9 [/td][td]5.72 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waqar Younis [/td][td]6 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]25.28 [/td][td]5.86 [/td][td]25.8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saqlain Mushtaq [/td][td]3 [/td][td]4 [/td][td]19.25 [/td][td]4.12 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shahid Afridi [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5.43 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Abdul Razzaq [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]129 [/td][td]4.96 [/td][td]156 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]15 [/td][td]3.75 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

Appreciate the stats man.

It shows they were on top of their game in that WC. Shoaib was already hitting his absolute peak, Wasim was tremendous and even Waqar came good in that WC. That was truly a masterclass innings from Sachin bashing some of the greats of the game. That innings was not only devastating it left such a demoralizing impact on Pak bowlers that they couldn't even manage any sort of comeback even after Sachin got out. He broke them long before we officially won the game.

 

[NishanKonar]

Pakistan's bowling stats in 2003 WC
[table=class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]Econ [/td][td]SR [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram [/td][td]6 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]16.75 [/td][td]4.23 [/td][td]23.7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shoaib Akhtar [/td][td]6 [/td][td]11 [/td][td]22.9 [/td][td]5.72 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waqar Younis [/td][td]6 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]25.28 [/td][td]5.86 [/td][td]25.8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saqlain Mushtaq [/td][td]3 [/td][td]4 [/td][td]19.25 [/td][td]4.12 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shahid Afridi [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5.43 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Abdul Razzaq [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]129 [/td][td]4.96 [/td][td]156 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]15 [/td][td]3.75 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

These stats have little meaning. Remember there was Namibia & Holland in this group. The stats that we should check are vs Aus / Eng / Ind

Example - Shoaib Akhtar was clobbered against / Eng & India . Everyone remembers Shoaib crossing 100 mph against England but he was very expensive in that game as well !

 

[street cricketer]

Lmao sure Shoaib was sad Sachin missed a century.

Did he say this in his YouTube account lol..

 

[Zaz]

These stats have little meaning. Remember there was Namibia & Holland in this group. The stats that we should check are vs Aus / Eng / Ind

Example - Shoaib Akhtar was clobbered against / Eng & India . Everyone remembers Shoaib crossing 100 mph against England but he was very expensive in that game as well !

Akram i remember fillled his boots against namibia n holland So yes those stats are misleading

 

[Slog]

Pakistan's bowling stats in 2003 WC
[table=class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]Econ [/td][td]SR [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram [/td][td]6 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]16.75 [/td][td]4.23 [/td][td]23.7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shoaib Akhtar [/td][td]6 [/td][td]11 [/td][td]22.9 [/td][td]5.72 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waqar Younis [/td][td]6 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]25.28 [/td][td]5.86 [/td][td]25.8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saqlain Mushtaq [/td][td]3 [/td][td]4 [/td][td]19.25 [/td][td]4.12 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shahid Afridi [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5.43 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Abdul Razzaq [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]129 [/td][td]4.96 [/td][td]156 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]15 [/td][td]3.75 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

Prolly need to do this against top 8 countries

 

[ChTab]

Pakistan's bowling stats in 2003 WC
[table=class: grid, align: center]
[tr][td]Player [/td][td]Mat [/td][td]Wkts [/td][td]Ave [/td][td]Econ [/td][td]SR [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Wasim Akram [/td][td]6 [/td][td]12 [/td][td]16.75 [/td][td]4.23 [/td][td]23.7 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shoaib Akhtar [/td][td]6 [/td][td]11 [/td][td]22.9 [/td][td]5.72 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Waqar Younis [/td][td]6 [/td][td]7 [/td][td]25.28 [/td][td]5.86 [/td][td]25.8 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saqlain Mushtaq [/td][td]3 [/td][td]4 [/td][td]19.25 [/td][td]4.12 [/td][td]28 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Shahid Afridi [/td][td]3 [/td][td]3 [/td][td]48 [/td][td]5.43 [/td][td]53 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Abdul Razzaq [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]129 [/td][td]4.96 [/td][td]156 [/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Saeed Anwar [/td][td]5 [/td][td]1 [/td][td]15 [/td][td]3.75 [/td][td]24 [/td][/tr]
[/table]

IMO these stats are misleading. Let's have a closer look on the stats of Pakistani bowlers vs big teams of that group.

Pakistan vs Australia:

Wasim 3/64 in 10 overs @ economy of 6.4
Shoaib 2/45 in 10 overs @ economy of 4.5
Waqar 2/50 in 8.3 overs @ economy of 5.8
Razaq 0/42 in 6 overs @ economy of 7
Afridi 0/63 in 9.3 overs @ economy of 6.6
Younis Khan 0/36 in 6 overs @ economy of 6 whose idea was that to give Younis Khan 6 overs vs probably the best side ever to play cricket.

Pakistan vs England:

Wasim 1/37 in 10 overs @ economy of 3.7
Shoaib 1/63 in 09 overs @ economy of 7
Waqar 2/37 in 7 overs @ economy of 5.2
Razaq 0/28 in 6 overs @ economy of 4.6
Afridi 2/36 in 8 overs @ economy of 4.5
Saqlain 2/44 in 10 overs @ economy of 4.4

Pakistan vs India:

Wasim 0/48 in 10 overs @ economy of 4.8
Shoaib 1/72 in 10 overs @ economy of 7.2
Waqar 2/71 in 8.4 overs @ economy of 8.1
Razaq 0/36 in 8 overs @ economy of 4.5
Afridi 1/45 in 9 overs @ economy of 5

Pakistani Bowlers record in 03 WC vs big teams:

Wasim Akram: 4 wickets @ an average of 37.25 & economy of 4.9
Shoaib Akhtar: 4 wickets @ an average of 45 & economy of 6.2
Waqar Younis: 6 wickets @ an average of 26.33 & economy of 5.4
Abdul Razzaq: 0 wickets @ an average of 106 & economy of 5.3
Shahid Afridi: 3 wickets @ an average of 48 & economy of 5.47

This clearly shows that our bowling was extremely mediocre & our bowling was the main reason that we weren't able to qualify for the 2nd round.

 

[Markhor]

That defeat was the cherry on top of an awful World Cup for an ageing Pakistan side that was put out of its misery. 2Ws were barely on speaking terms, Shoaib seemed more obsessed with pace than accuracy in this tournament, while Razzaq and Saqlain were rapidly declining.

This was the World Cup were I properly starting paying attention to cricket having grown up more of a football fan. We had the whole family around, the anticipation was tremendous for this match. I was vaguely aware of Tendulkar's aura, but it was that innings that brought home how special he was, and is still seared into my memory, especially the famous slash over backward point for six.

I also remember the late Robin Jackman was on commentary as Tendulkar dismantled Shoaib.

Honestly speaking, Saeed Anwar's century was not one of his finest. Remember India chased 325 vs England the previous summer at Lord's so we definitely were around 40-50 runs short on a flat deck.

 

[Hasan123]

This was a great knock.

 

[street cricketer]

The most comic moment of the match was when Taufiq Umar went full on m c b c on a cramped Tendulkar slowly trudging back to the pavilion after having taken the game away from Pakistan

 

[pillionrider]

What the hell man Shoaib )

 

[pakistani pride]

Still remember that 6 vs shoaib.
That was one shot I did not expect.

You knew it was game over.

 

[pillionrider]

Still remember that 6 vs shoaib.
That was one shot I did not expect.

You knew it was game over.

Of all the shots ever played in the history of cricket that six is probably the only one that holds its epic significance only for those who saw it at the time.

Someone who watches it now will probably think - what's the big deal, batsmen play that all the time and even better.

 

[NishanKonar]

That defeat was the cherry on top of an awful World Cup for an ageing Pakistan side that was put out of its misery. 2Ws were barely on speaking terms, Shoaib seemed more obsessed with pace than accuracy in this tournament, while Razzaq and Saqlain were rapidly declining.

This was the World Cup were I properly starting paying attention to cricket having grown up more of a football fan. We had the whole family around, the anticipation was tremendous for this match. I was vaguely aware of Tendulkar's aura, but it was that innings that brought home how special he was, and is still seared into my memory, especially the famous slash over backward point for six.

I also remember the late Robin Jackman was on commentary as Tendulkar dismantled Shoaib.

Honestly speaking, Saeed Anwar's century was not one of his finest. Remember India chased 325 vs England the previous summer at Lord's so we definitely were around 40-50 runs short on a flat deck.

I always felt that after Pakistan won that ODI series in Australia 2-1 in 2002, the success went to Shoaib Akhtar's head & he totally went off track. Pakistan looked like hot favorites after that epic ODI series win in Australia but next 6 months , they fell off badly in ODIs ( remember Morocco , Nairobi , ICC Champions trophy & South Africa series ) & at 2003 WC they came with lot of hype on paper but little substance

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

While India vs Pakistan match was obviously the marquee event of the tournament - the match that I was equally keen on was Pakistan vs Australia - their first match of the tournament.

Rashid Latif made a statement before the match -"Whoever wins this match - will win the World Cup". And that is exactly how it panned out Australia did win the World Cup.

But Pakistan was well on top of Australia in that game at 146/5 - until a certain Andrew Symonds happened and Australia ended up scoring 310. Promptly Pakistan lost that match and never really recovered from there.

 

[ahmedzee]

I always felt that after Pakistan won that ODI series in Australia 2-1 in 2002, the success went to Shoaib Akhtar's head & he totally went off track. Pakistan looked like hot favorites after that epic ODI series win in Australia but next 6 months , they fell off badly in ODIs ( remember Morocco , Nairobi , ICC Champions trophy & South Africa series ) & at 2003 WC they came with lot of hype on paper but little substance

Great analysis. Even before Australia series pakistan wasn’t performing as expected. I completely blame Waqar and his super defensive captaincy for that decline since 2000. We see that in his coaching as well these days.

 

[srh]

Flat pitch or not he did that against perhaps the greatest LOI fast bowling unit, in terms of individual skillset, ever assembled. Waqar, Wasim, a peak Shoaib and Razzaq, that was one scary bowling unit. We have seen the likes of Wasim and Shoaib taking the pitch out of the equation either through sheer skill or brute pace so many times in the past. It was truly a class vs class battle that Sachin won with flying colors.

not really, Wasim & Waqar were washed up

 

[Hyperion66]

not really, Wasim & Waqar were washed up

Wasim was still a force. Just before the WC he took 5 wickets in 3 matches against SA at 16.8!! Waqar took 6 at 22.5 in that same series. Also Shoaib was in and around his peak. There was a solid reason why Pak bowling was so hyped going into that WC. Wasim did fairly well against Aus too.

You guys making it seem like they were bowling like Wahab Riaz and Anwar Ali by then, which clearly is far from the truth.

 

[Hyperion66]

Of all the shots ever played in the history of cricket that six is probably the only one that holds its epic significance only for those who saw it at the time.

Someone who watches it now will probably think - what's the big deal, batsmen play that all the time and even better.

True.

I personally though rate that six of Caddick higher.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Pakistan dropped SRT and paid the price.

Australia didn't and won the WC.

It was a special innings and deserves the praise.

 

[Mesozoic]

Pakistan dropped SRT and paid the price.

Australia didn't and won the WC.

It was a special innings and deserves the praise.

Lol. Australia would have won that final even if they had dropped him 5 times.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

While Razzaq got a bit of flak for dropping Tendulkar - he gave a detailed explanation as to why it appeared that he dropped.

Razzaq has said that over the years he'd known Tendulkar to be also very adept at pinching quick singles along with his boundary shots in the first 15 overs. And that Razzaq had practiced coming in a few steps as the bowler bowled his ball to cut off those singles. If you look at the catch - Razzaq had to absolutely leap into the air to grab the catch. Had he stayed at the edge of the circle without moving in - that would have been a straightforward catch - of course it is moot if Tendulkar would have played that shot - had he realized Razzaq was right there at the circle.

Wasim did yell at Razzaq why did he move in so quickly from the circle.

It is these little fine details that only players who were on the field can explain which provides a lot of insight into how things have unravelled.

For outside viewers - it just looked like Razzaq had dropped the catch - but I thought it was interesting what led to that catch being dropped.