The former destructive Indian opener Virender Sehwag on Tuesday has effusively praised former Pakistan skipper and legendary bowler Wasim Akram for maintaining the integrity while showing the sportsmanship when former Indian ace leg-spinner Anil Kumble bagged 10-wickets in an innings in the second and final Test against arch-rivals Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.
On the 18th anniversary of Kumble’s figures off 10 for 74 in 26.3 overs, Sehwag, who has become a Twitter sensation posted a photograph on the microblogging site to celebrate his former teammate’s feat.
The tweet on the official account of Delhi-born batsman Sehwag also reads: “Well done Wasim Bhai”.
Kismat ke aage ,all saazish fail.
Well done Wasim bhai.
What a day it was at the Kotla by Anil bhai. pic.twitter.com/xDzMd39XOq— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 7, 2017
The old article which Sehwag posted revealed former Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis had chatted with Akram for not giving a wicket to Kumble before asking him for a run-out option, but Akram turned down his piece of advice.
On February 7, 1999, the lanky spinner Kumble became the second player in international cricket to register 10-wicket haul after England’s Jim Laker when he claimed the wicket of Akram, who caught by VVS Laxman on 37 off 66 balls which included seven boundaries.
The right-arm spinner Laker scripted the incredible feat against Australia when he bagged 10 wickets after conceding 53 runs in 51.2 overs at Old Trafford which interestingly included 23 maidens.
The ‘Jumbo’ revealed in one of his interviews when after the fall of ninth wicket fast bowler Javagal Srinath bowled wide of the stumps to allow him to claim the ‘Perfect Ten’.
Concurrently, the Team India Head Coach Kumble also took to Twitter – to celebrate his most memorable moment during his illustrious international career.
The 46-year-old Kumble, who has bagged 619 wickets in his Test cricket, has thanked one of his followers for reminded him about his remarkable feat.
Thank you so much @anilkumble1074 sir for giving us this beautiful memory. Will always remember this! pic.twitter.com/Y2zOjZBXDv
— royston barnes (@BarnesRoyston) February 7, 2017
Before spin maestro turned things around, Pakistan required 420 runs to win with two days to go.
The visitors eventually lost the Test by 212 runs after the floodgates were opened when opening batsmen Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar returned back to the pavilion before setting crucial 101-run stand for the first wicket.