NEW DELHI: Pakistan's legendary spinner Saqlain Mushtaq recently looked back on his encounters with India's firebrand opener Virender Sehwag, particularly the unforgettable Multan Test in 2004 where Sehwag blazed his way to 309.
Saqlain revealed he bowled through a shoulder injury and knee pain because Pakistan had no substitutes, making the challenge even tougher.
He recalled Sehwag cheekily telling his partner that he'd smash Saqlain for a six every time he bowled - something Saqlain now believes was more about hype than reality, designed to grab attention.
Despite the spinner's struggles, Sehwag went on to destroy the attack, piling up 309 runs off 375 balls, including 39 fours and 6 sixes, etching one of the most memorable innings in modern cricket.
"Obviously, if he performed well, he'll say he doesn't consider spinners as bowlers. Unfortunately, he only played against me twice. I'm not making excuses, but in Multan, my shoulder was injured when he scored 300," Saqlain told ANI in an exclusive interview.
"I was hospitalised the whole time, couldn't lift my hands, and had knee pain. But we didn't have another spinner, so Inzamam-ul-Haq asked me to bowl. That was my last match. I didn't get another chance to bowl to Sehwag. Despite the injury, I kept bowling straight at him. The wicket was flat, but I never said that. He made TRP out of it, saying he'd smash Mushtaq for a six when he comes to bowl," Mushtaq added.
With this historic innings, Sehwag became the first Indian batter to score a triple century in Test cricket. The knock was made even more memorable when Sehwag cleared Saqlain for a massive six while on 295, effortlessly crossing the 300-run mark.
Sehwag's explosive effort powered India to a comprehensive victory by an innings and 52 runs. The innings was supported by a brilliant 194 not out from Sachin Tendulkar, who narrowly missed out on a well-deserved double century as India declared at 675/5.
