Karachi, Wishes poured in from across the border for the legendary Sunil Gavaskar as he turned 75 on Wednesday with Pakistan cricket stalwarts calling him the 'original batting maestro' of Indian cricket.
Gavaskar is considered one of the greatest batsmen to have played the sport and his former rivals on the cricket field including Pakistani batting icons Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Muhammad, Sadiq Muhammad, Shoaib Muhammad, Mohsin Khan and Iqbal Qasim , they made it clear. to wish him on his birthday.
"Now that you have completed 75 prayers, you continue your magnificent entries in life," said Zaheer Abbas.
Zaheer said that he was happy to see Gavaskar still active on the cricket field, if not as a batsman but as a prominent commentator.
"Just like his batting, his knowledge of the game is invaluable. He was the original batsman of Indian cricket. I learned a lot just by watching him bat up close," he said.
Zaheer said that if Indian cricket produced batting stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli over the years it was mainly because they had a role model like Gavaskar to look up to.
Miandad, who enjoyed many duels with Gavaskar on the field, said the Indian was not only a great batsman but also a kind human being.
"I remember that in 1992, during the World Cup, his words of encouragement for the Pakistan team gave us a boost."
Miandad said that he has always been a fan of Gavaskar's batting technique.
"His was the most valuable ground for us every time we played against each other. His was a prized ground. I wish him all the best on his birthday."
Former captain Mushtaq Muhammad, who led Pakistan in that iconic 1977 series in Pakistan when Gavaskar scored tons of runs in Test matches, recalled how his focus would be on finding a weak spot in Gavaskar's batting.
"We all belong to the same era and it is a pleasure to know that Gavaskar is celebrating his 75th birthday. I wish him the best," he said over the phone.
"Gavaskar and Bishen Singh Bedi were the backbone of Indian cricket in the 70s," Mushtaq added.
Shoaib Muhammad, nephew of Mushtaq and son of Pakistani little maestro Hanif Muhammad, also wished Gavaskar on his birthday.
Shoaib narrated how his father always told him to study Gavaskar's batting technique and considered him as one of the best of his time.
"Gavaskar sahab had a lot of respect and consideration for my father and I admired that," he added.
Mohsin Khan recalled Gavaskar's friendly banter with the Pakistani players and said that when the Indian batted, his focus and concentration was incredible.
"Whether we played against him in Karachi, in Mumbai or in Sharjah, when he batted, he was like a wall. He played an important role in the evolution of cricket in Sharjah. I wish him the best," he said.
ATK
Gavaskar is considered one of the greatest batsmen to have played the sport and his former rivals on the cricket field including Pakistani batting icons Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Muhammad, Sadiq Muhammad, Shoaib Muhammad, Mohsin Khan and Iqbal Qasim , they made it clear. to wish him on his birthday.
"Now that you have completed 75 prayers, you continue your magnificent entries in life," said Zaheer Abbas.
Zaheer said that he was happy to see Gavaskar still active on the cricket field, if not as a batsman but as a prominent commentator.
"Just like his batting, his knowledge of the game is invaluable. He was the original batsman of Indian cricket. I learned a lot just by watching him bat up close," he said.
Zaheer said that if Indian cricket produced batting stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli over the years it was mainly because they had a role model like Gavaskar to look up to.
Miandad, who enjoyed many duels with Gavaskar on the field, said the Indian was not only a great batsman but also a kind human being.
"I remember that in 1992, during the World Cup, his words of encouragement for the Pakistan team gave us a boost."
Miandad said that he has always been a fan of Gavaskar's batting technique.
"His was the most valuable ground for us every time we played against each other. His was a prized ground. I wish him all the best on his birthday."
Former captain Mushtaq Muhammad, who led Pakistan in that iconic 1977 series in Pakistan when Gavaskar scored tons of runs in Test matches, recalled how his focus would be on finding a weak spot in Gavaskar's batting.
"We all belong to the same era and it is a pleasure to know that Gavaskar is celebrating his 75th birthday. I wish him the best," he said over the phone.
"Gavaskar and Bishen Singh Bedi were the backbone of Indian cricket in the 70s," Mushtaq added.
Shoaib Muhammad, nephew of Mushtaq and son of Pakistani little maestro Hanif Muhammad, also wished Gavaskar on his birthday.
Shoaib narrated how his father always told him to study Gavaskar's batting technique and considered him as one of the best of his time.
"Gavaskar sahab had a lot of respect and consideration for my father and I admired that," he added.
Mohsin Khan recalled Gavaskar's friendly banter with the Pakistani players and said that when the Indian batted, his focus and concentration was incredible.
"Whether we played against him in Karachi, in Mumbai or in Sharjah, when he batted, he was like a wall. He played an important role in the evolution of cricket in Sharjah. I wish him the best," he said.
ATK
