Former Team India opener is renowned for changing the face of Test cricket carrying on the aggressive game in the red-ball format. Very few will disagree to this including the legendary fast bowler from Pakistan Wasim Akram, who feels it was not Sehwag, who redefined batting in Test cricket.
The former India opener was well known for his attacking style against the new ball of the order that gave sleepless nights to many top fast bowlers. Currently, many batters follow this approach including Australia’s David Warner, who had credited Virender Sehwag for instilling the aggressive mindset in him.
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But Wasim Akram believes it was his countrymen Shahid Afridi who changed the mindset among batters in Test cricket. The former all-rounder was known for his attacking game at the early stage of his Test career.
“In Test cricket, Sehwag came later but in 1999-2000 Shahid Afridi changed the mindset of opening in Test cricket. Even if I was the bowler I would know that I can get him out but also know that he can hit me for boundaries. He used to hit lose deliveries for sixes at will,” said Akram while chatting with Afridi on a Youtube chat show.
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Notably, Shahid Afridi made his entry into Test cricket as an opener in 1998 against Australia but gained popularity against India in 1999-2000. Revealing a dressing room anecdote, Wasim Akram said that Afridi was not supposed to be a part of that touring Pakistan side in 1999 but he went against the selectors, trusting his gut feel and Imran Khan’s suggestion.
“I called Imran Khan before the tour selection. I told him ‘skipper I want to take Shahid Afridi on tour but a few selectors were against it. He told me ‘You should definitely take him, he will win a 1-2 Test matches and make him open the batting.’ I generally discussed a lot with Imran, sometimes before the tour, sometimes during the tour and his suggestions always came in handy,” Akram said.
