Ex-Pakistani pacer says Virender Sehwag was easiest batter to dismiss
Virendra Sehwag (Source – Twitter)
Former India opener Virendra Sehwag has one of the most fearless batters of his time. During his 14-year-long international career, he has changed the way how Test cricket was played and perceived. The 44-year-old is the only Indian cricketer to hit two triple tons in the longest format of the game. He was known for playing T20 in Test cricket with minimal footwork but maximum intent.
In his 104 Tests, Sehwag has scored 8,586 runs at an average of 49.34. However, in a stunning revelation, former Pakistan pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan said that Sehwag was the easiest batter to dismiss for him. Speaking further, the former cricketer also revealed that Rahul Dravid was the most toughest batter to bowl to according to him.
“Sehwag was the easiest to dismiss and the most difficult to bowl at was Rahul Dravid,” said Naved-ul-Hasan,” Naved said on the Nadir Ali podcast.
‘There was a match where Sehwag was playing on 85’ – Naved
Speaking on the podcast, Naved recalled an incident during the India versus Pakistan match in 2004/05. He said how he used different unconventional tactics to get rid of Sehwag. It was a match where Pakistan were trailing in the series by 0-2 and India scored almost scored 300 runs with Sehwag nearing his hundred.
“I will tell you an incident. There was a match where Sehwag was playing on 85. I am talking about the 2004-05 series which we won going there. I was the player of the tournament. The series was such that we were trailing 2-0. It was a best-five series. In the third match of the series, Sehwag was hitting big. They almost scored 300 and Sehwag was nearing 85. I asked Inzy Bhai to give me the ball. I bowled a slow bouncer,” said Naved.
“I went up to him and said ‘You don’t know how to play. Had you been in Pakistan, I don’t think you would have ever made it to the international team. He said a few things back to me. On my way back I told Inzi bhai ‘Next ball, he is getting out’. He was surprised. I bowled a back-of-the-hand slower ball, and an infuriated Sehwag tried to hit it big but holed out. The wicket was so important that we won that match. These are certain tricks of the fast bowler,” he further added.
