Srinagar, July 13: There is too much animosity between the two Nations currently with Political tensions running high, but at the same time this no shortage of good things to hear from the Cricketers of both India and Pakistan.
Every now and then former cricketers of India and Pakistan praise each other and reveal the incidents that go on to win hearts and prove that humanity comes first.
In one such feel good story former Pakistan cricketer and legend Inzamam ul Haq has revealed how India legend Sunil Gavaskar helped him cope up with short-pitched deliveries and excel in playing pull shorts.
“I went to England after 1992 World Cup at the back of a tremendous performance in the mega event. It was my first-ever tour to England. I didn’t have any idea as how should I play on those pitches. I was going through a bad patch as I was unable to play short-pitched deliveries,’’ Inzamam said this on his YouTube channel while wishing Gavaskar on his birthday.
Inzamam revealed that he had met Sunil Gavaskar in a charity match during that England tour and sought for his help.
“It was somewhere half of our season that I met him at a charity match in England. We both had gone to play that match. And I asked him ‘Sunil bhai I’m facing problems to play short-pitched balls, what should I do’, ” Inzi said.
“As great are the ways of the great, he told me to do only one little thing, that is, ‘don’t think about short-pitched balls or bouncers while batting because the moment you’ll think about them you’ll get trapped’. He told me that when the bowler would deliver the ball you would automatically understand; so don’t get worried about that, ” Former Pakistan skipper said.
Inzamam who helped Pakistan win 1992 World Cup said that he used Gavaskar’s advice and practiced in the nets.
“While in nets, I started practicing the way he told me. I strengthened my mind, telling myself not to think about that [short-pitched balls]. The weakness was removed. And from 1992 till the time I retired, I never faced that problem again,” added the 50-year-old Inzamam, who amassed 8,830 runs in 120 Tests and 11739 runs in 378 ODIs.
Paying a glowing tribute to Gavaskar, who turned 71 on Friday, Inzy said: “I wish I would’ve seen him live while he was batting.”