Shahid Afridi’s Historic Century: The Sachin Tendulkar Bat Connection
Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan all-rounder, holds a special place in cricket history for his blistering batting exploits. One of his most iconic achievements was scoring the fastest century in ODI cricket, a record he held for many years. However, behind this remarkable feat lies a fascinating story involving the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
In 1996, Afridi smashed a 37-ball century against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, setting a new benchmark for the fastest ODI ton. This achievement earned him the nickname “Boom-Boom” and cemented his status as one of Pakistan’s finest attacking batters.
But what many may not know is that Afridi used Sachin Tendulkar’s bat to achieve this historic milestone. In a YouTube video, Afridi revealed that he had received the bat from Waqar Younis, who had asked him to use it in the match.
“I have safely kept the bat with which I played my first innings. The bat created history. It was Sachin’s bat and he is one of my favorite players, and I created a world record from his bat,” Afridi said.
Afridi’s former teammate, Azhar Mahmood, also shed light on the significance of the Sachin Tendulkar bat. He recalled that the Sri Lankan openers were known for their aggressive batting, and Pakistan needed someone to counter them. Afridi, who was primarily a bowler, was given the opportunity to bat at number three.
“Afridi went against the spinners, murdering everyone in the nets,” Mahmood said. “Next day, we got the game against Sri Lanka and they said he (Afridi) is batting at number three. I think Waqar (Younis) got a bat from Sachin (Tendulkar), he used the great Sachin’s bat and managed to get a hundred and after that, he became a batsman.”
Afridi’s century not only broke the record for the fastest ODI ton but also transformed his career. He went on to become a prolific batsman, known for his explosive hitting and match-winning performances.
The story of Afridi’s century and the Sachin Tendulkar bat is a testament to the camaraderie and respect that exists within the cricket fraternity. It also highlights the impact that a simple gesture can have on a player’s career and the enduring legacy of legends like Sachin Tendulkar.
