📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, celebrated his 75th birthday recently and received heartwarming wishes from cricketing stalwarts across the border in Pakistan. The likes of Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Muhammad, Sadiq Muhammad, Shoaib Muhammad, Mohsin Khan, and Iqbal Qasim all took the time to honor Gavaskar for his immense contribution to the game of cricket. These Pakistani icons hailed Gavaskar as the ‘original batting don’ of Indian cricket, highlighting his unparalleled skill and influence in the cricketing world. Zaheer Abbas, known for his elegant batting style, praised Gavaskar’s continued involvement in cricket, not just as a player but also as a respected commentator. He emphasized Gavaskar’s profound understanding of the game and credited him as a major inspiration for budding cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who have followed in Gavaskar’s footsteps to achieve greatness on the field.
Miandad, who shared many fierce battles with Gavaskar on the cricket field, remembered the mutual respect and admiration they had for each other. He recalled Gavaskar’s words of encouragement during the 1992 World Cup, which boosted the morale of the Pakistani team. Miandad highlighted Gavaskar’s wicket as a prized possession and wished him all the best on his special day. Mushtaq Muhammad, a former Pakistan captain who faced Gavaskar in the iconic 1977 series, acknowledged the pivotal role Gavaskar played in shaping Indian cricket alongside Bishen Singh Bedi in the 70s. The intergenerational admiration for Gavaskar was evident in the sentiments shared by Shoaib Muhammad, the son of Hanif Muhammad, who revered Gavaskar’s batting technique and the respect he showed towards his father. Mohsin Khan fondly recalled Gavaskar’s unwavering focus and concentration on the field, highlighting his significant impact on the evolution of cricket in Sharjah. The birthday wishes from these Pakistani cricketing legends underline the transcendent legacy of Sunil Gavaskar, a true maestro of the game.
