"I call him Sir" - Saeed Ajmal recalls battles with Indian batting legend

Former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has termed Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar as not only a great cricketer but also as someone honest and kind. Ajmal also revealed that he refers to Tendulkar as 'Sir'.

Ajmal dismissed Tendulkar in the 2011 World Cup semifinal played between India and Pakistan in Mohali, but not before the latter had hammered 85 runs. Tendulkar was named Player of the Match for his half-century as India won the knockout contest by 29 runs.

At a recent event, the former Pakistan spinner revisited his on-field battles with the Indian cricket legend. He said (as quoted by ANI):

"Sachin is a great cricketer. The most honest and kind in the world. He is a legend. I call him Sir. He is worthy of that. In cricket, when you go to the ground, there is nothing like Sir, but I have played with him in it, it is a matter of honor for me. I have got him out, it is a matter of happiness for me. I will always remember this and whenever I played with him, I played as a human with respect."

Sharing an interesting anecdote, the 46-year-old also recalled that Tendulkar once advised him to bowl a doosra to Kevin Pietersen, which resulted in the dismissal of the England batter. According to Ajmal, the tale is from a league game in 2010 in which the two played together.

"I played with him in a league in 2010. He told me to get Pietersen out by doing 'doosra'. Then I got Pietersen out. He was very happy. Then, when I took 4 wickets in 4 overs, Sachin told me that now the match has 6 wickets left, you should not finish it early. He has always respected us. He is a very good man," Ajmal added, while concluding his praise of Tendulkar.

Tendulkar is regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. He featured in 664 international matches and amassed 34357 runs across the three formats, averaging 48.52, with 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries.

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Saeed Ajmal's record in international cricket

Ajmal played 35 Tests in which he claimed 178 wickets at an average of 28.10, with 10 five-fers and four 10-wicket match hauls. The 46-year-old also featured in 113 ODIs and picked up 184 scalps at an average of 22.72 and an economy rate of 4.18, with two five-wicket hauls.

The former Pakistan skipper also claimed 85 wickets in 64 T20Is at an average of 17.83 and an economy rate of 6.36.