Waqar Younis, the legendary Pakistani fast bowler, reflected on his earliest introduction to Sachin Tendulkar. He remembers the shock and disbelief he and his peers felt when they first heard about the young prodigy's ability to score triple centuries in school matches.
Speaking on 'The Greatest Rivalry' podcast, Waqar described how his Under-19 teammates couldn't stop talking about Sachin's batting brilliance. He recalled his own sheer disbelief, questioning who could possibly score three hundred runs in a school game, especially in an era where a standard century was already considered a rare and prestigious feat.
While the Pakistani camp was well aware of this exceptionally talented youngster from India, Younis noted that Sachin didn't initially look like someone who would redefine the sport. He admitted that, at first glance, he didn't foresee Sachin becoming one of the most influential figures in cricket history.
During India's 1988 tour of Pakistan, both Sachin and Waqar stepped onto the international stage for the first time. Tendulkar quickly earned respect across the subcontinent by showing immense courage and skill while facing a lethal bowling attack consisting of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, and Imran Khan.