Shahid Afridi reveals story about scoring fastest 1996 ODI ton with Sachin Tendulkar's bat

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi was one of most explosive batsmen in world while playing international cricket. Over years, Shahid Afridi has played several memorable kcks which are still etched in minds of cricket fans t just in Pakistan but around world. veteran all-rounder has been in sport since 1996 and has seen several Indian cricketers from different generations.

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Shahid Afridi reveals his 37-ball ton was scored by Sachin Tendulkar's bat

Going back to his autobiography Game Changer, Shahid Afridi said that equations between India and Pakistan in cricket have changed over years because 'politics has seeped in everywhere'. In his autobiography, Shahid Afridi has commented on several Indian cricketers. He has had a lot of mixed opinions about his Indian counterparts.

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Shahid Afridi said that only proper batsman in Indian team during initial phase of his career was Sachin Tendulkar, after which likes of Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly arrived. Shahid Afridi also went on to reveal an interesting detail. former Pakistan cricketer recalled how he smashed 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in 1996 with Sachin Tendulkar’s bat.

Afridi claimed that even he received bat from ar former Pakistan captain and teammate Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi didn’t forget to ackwledge Sachin Tendulkar. He added that effectively fastest century in Nairobi was made with Sachin Tendulkar's bat, since he had apparently gifted it to Younis, which gives a hint of how Indian and Pakistani cricketers used to bond off field.  37-ball ton was n fastest ODI ton before New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson surpassed it.

Incidentally, before 1996 World Cup in Indian subcontinent, a rare incident took place. A combined India and Pakistan XI travelled to Sri Lanka to play hosts prior to tournament in a friendly match. side, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, saw likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble, play alongside Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. That Indo-Pak team defeated Sri Lanka in a match which saw tremendous camaraderie between players of both rival nations. match was organized by BCCI and PCB to lift Sri Lanka's spirits, who were denied visits by Australia and West Indies due to deteriorating political situation in country. Sri Lanka won World Cup that year in Lahore by defeating Australia in final ironically under Arjuna Ranatunga's leadership.

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Shahid Afridi takes a jibe at Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag

Coming back to Afridi, apart from praising Tendulkar, he was relentless in taking a shot at former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir. He said that Gautam Gambhir was ‘barely a character’ and had major attitude problems. Afridi added that Gautam Gambhir was someone with records but a lot of attitude. He also went on to say that Gambhir behaved like a cross between Sir Don Bradman and James Bond. It is secret that duo share animosity after ir infamous on--field fight in a 2007 ODI in India and over several political issues.

Afridi also bashed Virender Sehwag for latter’s tweets about Pakistan on social media. He called out Virender Sehwag for his irresponsible behaviour after tweeting 'negatively' about Pakistan on several occasions.

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IM COURTESY: SHAHID AFRIDI TWITTER