25 Unbelievable facts about Indian cricket

Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi
Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi

11. Sachin Tendulkar played for Pakistan before he played for India

Australia v India.jpg
Australia v India.jpg

Sachin Tendulkar was only 13 years old when he made his international debut as a fielder. An exhibition match was played between India and Pakistan at the Brabourne stadium on 20 January 1987. This game was played to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Cricket Club of India (CCI). Also, this was Sunil Gavaskar's last limited-over game.

The Pakistan cricket team was a fielder short as Javed Miandad and Abdul Qadir left the field at lunchtime. Sachin then was sent to field for Imran Khan's team and was deployed at long-on by the Pakistan skipper. Soon, Kapil Dev hit a skier in his direction. Despite running hard for about 15 metres, Sachin failed to reach the ball.

Recounting the incident in his autobiography 'Playing it my Way', Sachin actually recalls complaining to a friend that he could have taken the catch had Imran placed him at mid-on instead of long-on.

"I don't know whether Imran Khan remembers this or has any idea that I once fielded for his Pakistan team," Sachin wrote in his book.

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