“I had a sleepless night before the match…” – Sachin Tendulkar talks about how he answered back Shoaib Akhtar

India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been one of the most important players in the history of Indian cricket. The Little Master is the leading run-scorer in the Test and ODI format, a record that still remains intact.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.8 including 51 centuries, 68 half-centuries and six double-centuries. On the other hand, he accumulated 18,426 runs including 1 double hundred, 49 centuries and 56 fifties.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the sport, Sachin Tendulkar has recalled the iconic 2003 World Cup tie in Centurion which the Men in Blue won the game by six wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar recalls India vs Pakistan World Cup tie

While speaking at the India Today Conclave 2023, Sachin Tendulkar took a trip down memory lane and added that he literally had a sleepless night before the game against Pakistan due to the outside noise.

He stressed the fact that India vs Pakistan is always a big match and that the pressure is always there for both teams to win the contest. During the match, what really stood out was Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic six off Shoaib Akhtar, a shot that is still being talked about today because of the way Sachin executed it.

During the second over of India’s innings, Rawalpindi Express pitched in with an outside off delivery to Sachin. The Indian batting icon who initially attempted to leave it in the first place made a decision at the fraction of a second by playing an uppercut for a maximum.

Recalling the iconic six off Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar said these kinds of shots are not planned and added that it is important to time the ball for a desirable result. Batting first, Pakistan posted 273/7 with the help of Saeed Anwar’s 101.

In response, India chased down the target in 45.4 overs. Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 off 75 balls including 12 fours and a six.