Wasim Akram took 414 Test wickets. (Source: File Photo)
Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram believes it was his countrymen Shahid Afridi and not Virender Sehwag who changed the mindset of opening in Test cricket.
In a YouTube chat with Afridi, the pacer mentioned got here a lot earlier that the Indian and regarded him as one of the most damaging candidate in 1999-2000.
“In Test cricket, Sehwag came later but in 1999-2000 Shahid Afridi changed the mindset of opening in Test cricket.”
“Even if I was the bowler, I would know that I can get him out but also know that he can hit me for boundaries,” mentioned Akram in a Youtube chat with Afridi. “He used to hit loose deliveries for sixes at will.”
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Akram additional revealed that Afridi was not meant to be included in the squad touring to India in the 1999-2000 sequence, in which Afridi left a mark in the Test circuit.
The Pakistani opener had then accomplished his maiden century in the first Test in Chennai, serving to Pakistan take a 1-Zero lead in the sequence. Pakistan went on to win the contest 2-1.
“I known as Imran Khan earlier than the tour choice. I informed him ‘skipper I need to take Shahid Afridi on tour however just a few selectors had been in opposition to it.
He informed me ‘You should definitely take him, he will win a one-two Test matches and make him open the batting’,” mentioned the former left-arm pacer.
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“I generally discussed a lot with Imran, sometimes before the tour, sometimes during the tour and his suggestions always came in handy,” he added.
“What a knock it was on that Chennai track. Afridi used to dance down the track and hit [Anil] Kumble and [Sunil] Joshi for sixes,” Akram mentioned recalling the 141-run knock performed by Afridi in the Chennai Test.
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Afridi, nevertheless, may not set up himself as a daily Test participant as he managed to play simply 27 Tests for Pakistan and scored simply 5 a whole lot.
Sehwag, on the different hand, represented India in 104 Test matches and scored 23 centuries, together with two triple a whole lot.
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