The Untold Story of the Indian Cricket Legend Who Played for Pakistan
The Indian cricket team has seen various legends who dominated the game. But there has been one player who even fielded for Pakistan before he could make his international debut. This player later went on to be the Master Blaster, helping India to secure various wins in the most thrilling fashion.
Fans will be shocked to know that an Indian player has fielded for Pakistan in a cricket game. And what's more surprising to this is the fact that the player is none other than the Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar. The Master Blaster also has an untold story, which began even before he made a debut for the Indian team.
It was 20 January 1987, when the Cricket Council of India was celebrating its Golden Jubilee. For this, India was going against Pakistan in a match at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. At this time, Sachin Tendulkar, who was 13 years old and yet to make his debut, was able to make it to the field as a substitute fielder for Pakistan.
During the lunch break in this game, Javed Miandad and Abdul Qadir went off the field which eventually left Pakistan short of fielders. Sachin Tendulkar was a boundary boy in this game, as he caught the eyes of Pakistan skipper, Imran Khan, who called him to take the field for his team. With full enthusiasm, he went on to take the field for Pakistan and fielded for 25-30 minutes.
Sachin Tendulkar even had a chance to take the catch of the Indian captain, Kapil Dev. But he could not hold on to that opportunity. Eventually, a few years after this incident, he went on to make his debut for the Indian team in the ODI format against Pakistan. From being a substitute fielder for them to making his debut against them, Sachin Tendulkar had a fairytale story even in the early years of his greatness.