Watch: Wasim Akram's special gift to Sachin Tendulkar

It was one of those special moments when a Pakistani legend bowler, Wasim Akram presented a special gift to the Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. It was way back in 1999 when Akram congratulated Tendulkar on receiving Padma Shri.

Akram also presented him a personal gift during the practice session ahead of a Test match. Further, they talked about their meeting after the match along with their respective wives.

The arch-rivals, India and Pakistan are always known for hot exchanges on the field and there have been a lot of instances where the situations had gone out the grasp but, this is to show that they always had a friendly relation off the field.

It was at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai in 1999, ahead of the first Test match of the series – which is one of the hard fought Test matches in cricket history with the visitors winning by 12 runs. Tendulkar scored a century (136) in the second innings of the match, chasing 270 to win, but the lack of partnerships cost India the match.

Also read – Chris Gayle’s special gift for Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Yuvraj Singh

Only 3 batsmen scored double-digit scores or more in the second innings for India. After being at 82 for 5, India fought back with a 136-run partnership between Sachin and Nayan Mongia (who scored 52 runs), and Akram broke the partnership with the wicket of Mongia and Tendulkar was soon dismissed with India still needing just 16 more runs.

Saqlain Mushtaq and Akram picked up 5 and 3 wickets respectively to win the first Test of the series by 12 runs and Chennai crowd’s standing ovation for Pakistan after they did a lap of honour.