5 part-time bowlers who ended a big innings in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar

Victim: Saeed Anwar (194)

Tendulkar could conjure up magic with the ball as well.

Famous for providing Pakistan with starts in the first fifteen overs, Saeed Anwar was one of Pakistan’s most dependable openers. Vivian Richards’ 13 year old record was quashed by Anwar, Indian bowling’s perennial nemesis, in 1997.

Batting with a runner for most part of his innings, Anwar focussed on getting the boundaries, and was able to achieve them at a surprisingly good rate. He singled out Anil Kumble for special treatment, plundering 24 runs from one of his overs. Anwar looked unstoppable in the middle, untroubled by the Indian bowling, which looked sapped out and insipid by the final half.

It was up to the Sachin Tendulkar, the skipper, to end the onslaught. Famous for his golden arm, which was a partnership breaker on many occasions, Tendulkar brought an end to Anwar’s epic knock. He slid one of his off-breaks on the leg stump, inviting Anwar to sweep. The ball caught a leading edge, and was brilliantly taken by a tumbling Sourav Ganguly at fine leg.

Incidentally, it was Tendulkar who eventually broke Anwar’s joint-record, scoring the first ODI double hundred, 13 years later.