Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar had famously thwarted Pakistan’s bid to register a path-breaking win over India by playing one of the most memorable knocks in the history of Indo-Pak clashes at the 2003 World Cup. Leading the batting charge of the Virender Sehwag-starrer side in the 2003 edition of the ICC World Cup, the legendary batter played a majestic knock to extend the unbeaten run of the Men In Blue against their traditional rivals at the grandest stages of them all – the ICC World Cup.
Recalling Tendulkar’s batting masterclass against traditional rivals Pakistan, legendary opener Sehwag claimed that the 98-run knock of the Little Master was the best innings of the showpiece event. Interestingly, Sehwag also revealed that batting legend Tendulkar was sledged and abused by former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi during the epic clash of the two arch-rivals at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
“Tendulkar had become so experienced by that point that he knew that he had to be fully prepared and perform for India to do well. According to me, that innings was the best knock in the World Cup. Because he was cramping, I was running for him and the likes of Shahid Afridi were sledging and abusing him. But that didn’t disturb his concentration as he knew he had to bat deep,” Sehwag told StarSports.
Taking a trip down the memory lane, Sehwag also recalled Shoaib Akhtar‘s statement before the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan. “I remember Shoaib Akhtar had made a statement before that game (during 2003 World Cup) that he will target and destroy India’s top-order. Although Tendulkar and I didn’t read it at that time because we used to be away from the newspapers, Tendulkar gave a fitting reply by smashing his first over for 18-19 runs,” Sehwag added. Tendulkar’s 98 off 75 balls powered India to 6-wicket win over Pakistan at the 2003 World Cup.
