Have never seen Sachin play that uppercut he played against Shoaib Akhtar, reveals Mohammad Kaif

India’s clash against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup at Centurion went down as one of the iconic moments in Indian cricket’s history. In just the second over of the innings, the Indian opener trashed Pakistan’s pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, over the point boundary for a six, boosting India’s confidence. Later on, Sachin did not control his attacking intent, with another punching boundary against the Pakistani pace attack. 

Batting alongside Sachin during that famous encounter, Kaif admitted that his batting partner never liked to talk too much in the middle. On top of that, the UP batsman also recollected how the Mumbaikar’s planning was at a different level to his teammates. 

“If someone goes and tells him what a shot he had played, he would ask you to stay quiet and let him bat. He didn’t like it at all if someone goes and tells him how well he was batting and how good the ball was going from his bat or that it was his day. He knows where the gap is and he would know in his mind where the fielders are standing and how to push for that extra run. His planning was at a different level.”