Going after the total made me hit Abdul Qadir for four sixes, recalls Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar hit Abdul Qadir for four sixes in an over in an exhibition match
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Sachin Tendulkar has recalled the time he hit Abdul Qadir for four sixes in an exhibition match, stating that going after the huge total made him connect the shots. Tendulkar revealed that he had a discussion with Kris Srikkanth about going after the total to get some practice for the next game.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was only 16 years of age when he took on one of the greatest spinners of all time, Abdul Qadir. Tendulkar made the announcement of his arrival on the scene by hitting Qadir for four sixes in an exhibition match. This famous feat in 1989 happened in a match that was of reduced to 20 overs after rain interrupted the match, way before the shortest format of the game came into existence. Tendulkar recalled what happened prior to the match and how the teams agreed to play.
âThe match was in Gujranwala, I think. It had rained and both teams were informed that many spectators have come to see so why donât we have a 20-over exhibition match?â Tendulkar told Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel as quoted by Hindustan Times.
âWe were told that this wonât be an international match but at least the crowd wonât return disappointed. So we agreed to play the match thinking weâll at least get some practice out of this game. I was batting at No. 4 and I remember when I had gone out to bat, we had to score some 65-70 runs in four overs.â
Even though Pakistan went on to win the match narrowly, it was Indiaâs Tendulkar that made headlines as he hit Qadir for four sixes in an over. He remained unbeaten at the end on 53, displaying a masterclass on attacking. Such aggressive gameplay was not a feat that happened regularly like today, in fact, it was unheard of. The former India batsman further revealed that discussion with captain Kris Srikkanth helped him propel.Â
âKris Srikkanth was the captain so our discussion was to get some practice for the next game. I told Chika âI think we should go for the totalâ. He said âYes, why not.â And thatâs how I started connecting the shots,â Tendulkar said.
âMushtaq (Ahmed) was bowling, he got hit for two sixes and a four. Abdul Qadir came to me and said âIâll bowl from this side. Try and hit meâ. I said youâre such a senior bowler, I canât hit you that easily. So from there, we started chasing. That was a big over, we got some 27-28 runs.â