LAHORE, Pakistan, 27 November 2005 — Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar will smash all batting records before he quits international cricket, according to former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.
“I think Tendulkar will not stop before 600 One-Day Internationals and by that time all records will be in his name,” Akram told AFP.
Tendulkar surpassed Akram’s world-record 356 appearances in one-dayers during India’s fourth match against South Africa at Calcutta on Friday. “He has already set so many batting records and, with age on his side, he is capable of achieving more,” said Akram.
Tendulkar, 33, is already the highest scorer in One-Day Internationals with 13,879 runs in 357 matches with a record 38 centuries.
He is also just one Test century short of smashing compatriot Sunil Gavaskar’s world mark of 34 hundreds.
Tendulkar is the fourth-highest scorer in Test cricket with 10,134 runs in 123 matches, behind only West Indian Brian Lara (11,187 121) and Australians Allan Border (11,174 156) and Steve Waugh (10,927 168). “I think Tendulkar is more focused and relaxed after a long layoff and I don’t agree with those who say he is not a match-winner,” Akram said, adding that bowling to Tendulkar was always a challenge. “Tendulkar is one of the most difficult batsmen to bowl at and I always liked the challenge of bowling at him,” said Akram.
