Describing Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman of the modern era, former Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar hailed the Indian maestro for breaking his ODI batting record and becoming the only player to smash a double century in the limited-overs cricket.
Anwar told PTI he was not surprised that Tendulkar had broken his record of the highest individual score (194) in one-dayers when he scored 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior on Wednesday.
"I am surprised that my record stood for 13 years because in this period there were a number of players like Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Shahid Afridi and Virender Sehwag who could have broken the record. But I think Tendulkar did it because he is the greatest of the modern era and a class apart," Anwar said.
"Honestly speaking Brian Lara seemed to me the most likely to break the record but he retired without doing it. However, he set his records in test and first class cricket," said Anwar who had made 194 against India in Chennai in May 1997.
"I am happy Tendulkar has done it because he is certainly the greatest batsman of the modern era. His feats speak for themselves," he added.
Anwar recalled how Tendulkar had congratulated him when he had scored 194 in the Independence Cup.
"I had just come back from an injury after four months and had little practice before playing in the Independence Cup in India. It was very hot and humid out there on that day and I consider it perhaps the best innings of my career," he said.
"Sachin was captain of Indian team in that tournament. He was the first person to come and congratulate me when I scored 194. Other Indian players also came and congratulated me. So I think it is only fair I pay him back the same compliment and congratulate him," he said.
Anwar told PTI he was not surprised that Tendulkar had broken his record of the highest individual score (194) in one-dayers when he scored 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior on Wednesday.
"I am surprised that my record stood for 13 years because in this period there were a number of players like Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, Shahid Afridi and Virender Sehwag who could have broken the record. But I think Tendulkar did it because he is the greatest of the modern era and a class apart," Anwar said.
"Honestly speaking Brian Lara seemed to me the most likely to break the record but he retired without doing it. However, he set his records in test and first class cricket," said Anwar who had made 194 against India in Chennai in May 1997.
"I am happy Tendulkar has done it because he is certainly the greatest batsman of the modern era. His feats speak for themselves," he added.
Anwar recalled how Tendulkar had congratulated him when he had scored 194 in the Independence Cup.
"I had just come back from an injury after four months and had little practice before playing in the Independence Cup in India. It was very hot and humid out there on that day and I consider it perhaps the best innings of my career," he said.
"Sachin was captain of Indian team in that tournament. He was the first person to come and congratulate me when I scored 194. Other Indian players also came and congratulated me. So I think it is only fair I pay him back the same compliment and congratulate him," he said.
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