Debutant Sachin Disarrayed Imran’s Army

In 1989, Indian National Team traveled to Pakistan under Kris Srikkanth captaincy. Surprisingly, sixteen years old boy ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ also got picked. The name was already popular in India’s first-class circuit. However, no one expected him to be a part of the Indian team at the age of 16.

The Discovery of Waqar Younis:

Imran wanted to set up a fierce pace attack to intimidate the formidable Indian batting line up. He was in the twilight of his career and solely depends on spearhead Wasim Akram. Before the series, Imran was not well and watching a domestic match at the hotel. He was highly impressed with a young fast bowler who was bowling at an express pace. Imran decided to include him in the squad. Wasim got a new bowling partner. This is how the story unfolded for ‘Burewala Express’ – Waqar Younis.

The Debut:

India played the first Test at National Stadium, Karachi. Sachin Tendulkar and Salil Ankola from India and Shahid Saeed and Waqar Younis from Pakistan made the debut. India won the toss and elected to field first. At the end of the first day, Pakistan was 259/4.

Sachin was completely exhausted after the first day’s play. He came to the hotel and couldn’t resist a slumber. Woke up at 9 PM, had dinner, and slept again.

The next day was a big day for him. India lost 4 quick wickets and struggled at 41/4. That’s when the world had a glimpse of the genius for the first time. He sweetly timed Waqar for a boundary. However, Sachin had never faced express fast bowling in India and struggled against the raw pace of Pakistani bowlers and got out at 15

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The Setback:

Sachin was disappointed and thought Test cricket wasn’t meant for him. He sat quietly at one corner of the dressing room. The senior players realized his mental trauma and encouraged him. They advised him to spend more time on the crease and run would flow automatically. Sachin didn’t get a chance to bat in the second innings and the match ended in a draw.

Second and Third Test:

Sachin negotiated all the nasty bouncers, toe-crushers, swinging cherries in the second Test, and scored 59 runs in the first innings. The innings provided much-needed confidence and a sense of belonging at the highest level. Sachin played another handful knock in the third Test and scored 41 runs.

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The Blood:

The last match of the series was played at Sialkot. It was a green top. India was struggling at 38/4 in the second innings and trying to save the match. Sachin joined Sidhu in the middle. It was a testing time for Indian batsmen. Pakistani pace attacks showed no mercy and bowling ferociously as they sniffed the victory at the corner.

Waqar bowled a fast bouncer and Sachin missed it completely. The ball hit his nose and the face was covered with blood. Indian physio Ali Irani rushed to the middle. He advised to take a break but Sachin refused. He said to Irani “I will play”. Everyone was flabbergasted by the courage of a 16 years old boy. Navjot Singh Sidhu was deeply moved by the mental strength of Sachin. Sidhu gathered the courage and played a scintillating knock of 97. Sachin also scored 57 and saved the Test match.

The Exhibition Match:

The first ODI was scheduled at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar. However, the match was called off due to rain. The authority decided to arrange a 20 over exhibition match for the crowd.

Batting first Pakistan scored 157/4 in 20 overs. Thanks to the wonderful batting display by Saleem Malik (75) and Mansoor Akhtar (53).

Sachin came to the crease after the fall of the third wickets and India needed 70 runs to win in 30 balls. Srikkanth was at the non-striker end. He suggested getting some batting practice. However, Sachin decided to attack the opposition and scored as many as possible. He hit Mushtaq for two consecutive sixes over long-on. The second shot shattered the glass of the dressing room window.

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The Raining Sixes:

Abdul Qadir approached Sachin and the famous conversation had many versions. As per Qadir, he encouraged Sachin and asked him to treat Qadir as a regular bowler and play the natural game. As per Sachin, after he hit a couple of sixes to Mushtaq, Qadir told him “It was not a big deal to hit sixes against a kid, if you have guts then try to hit me”. However, Sachin didn’t respond to Qadir.

Next over, Qadir bowled a flighted delivery and Sachin hit over long-on for a six. The next ball was a dot. The third ball was outside the off-stamp and Sachin smashed over cover for four. Qadir realized he was not an ordinary kid and tried his best to get Sachin’s priced wicket. The fourth ball was pitched at middle and Sachin came down the track and hit a six over bowler’s head. Qadir couldn’t believe his eyes. Sachin hit a six again on the fifth ball over the long-on boundary. It was an insult to injury and Qadir was desperately looking for a bounce back. The last delivery was outside the off and Tendulkar hit him over long-off for the fourth six of the over. Qadir conceded 28(6,0,4,6,6,6) runs in the over and mesmerized by the batting of a teen. Sachin scored 53*, however, India lost the match by 4 runs.

It was a great learning experience for Sachin. He enjoyed the Pakistani cuisine as well, especially the Haleem. He came back stronger both physically and mentally. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar arrived at the big stage. The beginning of a new chapter of batsmanship. 

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