Sachin Tendulkar contemplated quitting the game after facing Waqar and Wasim

The Pakistani bowling lineup of the 80’s and 90’s consisted of the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed and Shoaib Akhtar. Quite expectantly, they were deemed to possess one of the deadliest attacks, so much so that they were feared by even the batsmen of the calibre of Sachin Tendulkar, who went on to epitomise grit and determination over the course of his career.

Tendulkar, also known as the Master Blaster among his fans, made his debut back in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi. The first innings of his career turned out to be a nightmare as he was smacked on to the nose courtesy of a bouncer by Waqar after which he bled profusely. Nevertheless, he showed resilience and scored 15 runs and eventually was cleaned up by the fast-bowler, who also made his debut in the game.

“I was completely out of place”- Sachin Tendulkar

Recently, Sachin went down the memory lane and reminisced about the moments. “First innings of my life, in Karachi, I thought it would be my first and last innings. In the first match, I had no idea. Waqar bowling from one end, Wasim going full-throttle from the other. And they had just started reverse-ball. To go there and play suddenly, I was completely out of place,” Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

He didn’t have to face the venom spewed by the might of the Pakistani attack in the second innings. Nevertheless, he came back in the second Test at Faisalabad where he scored his maiden half-century. The 45-old also revealed the satisfaction he experienced following his first major success amongst the big boys of cricket.

“I took advice from everyone in the dressing room and they told me to spend some more time on it. ‘This is international cricket. You’re playing possibly the best bowling attack in the world. Give them that respect.’ Second innings of my life, I scored 59 runs. I got back to the dressing room and looked at myself and said, ‘You have done it,’” the former Indian batsman added.

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