Here are the top 10 bowlers when Tendulkar ranked 1 in ODIs in 1998

Back in November 1998, when Sachin Tendulkar had accumulated 887 ranking points, he overtook Brian Lara to become the number one ICC batsman in ODIs. It would be fair to say that at that time, without having the batting powerplays and field restrictions, scoring runs was comparatively difficult then.

Tendulkar also batted against a bunch of legendary bowlers to climb up the ladder. Let’s look at the 10 bowlers who were at the top of the ICC rankings at that time.

#10 Chaminda Vaas : Vasy - the accurate spearhead from Sri Lanka

The left arm pacer threatened batsmen for 15 years with his dangerous in-dippers and off-cutters. Chaminda Vaas is the only bowler in ODI history to grab eight wickets in a game. He ended his career with 355 Test wickets and 400 ODI wickets.

Vaas got the better of Tendulkar nine times in ODIs.

#9 Anil Kumble: The Jumbo-jet from India

Even though he was not known to turn the ball much, this leg-spin genius had 619 Test wickets and remains as the third highest wicket-taker of all time.

One of Anil Kumble's greatest achievements in Test cricket is scalping all ten wickets of Pakistan in 1999, only the second bowler after Jim Laker to achieve the feat. He also had 337 ODI wickets from 271 matches.

#8 Damien Fleming: The demon-bowler from Victoria, Australia

When Damien Flemingtook a hat-trick in his Test debut, he became only the third Test cricketer to achieve the feat.

Another astounding cricketing memory Fleming is associated with, is his decisive last over in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against South Africa. He finished his career with 134 ODI wickets from 88 matches.

#7 Wasim Akram : The Sultan of swing from Pakistan

With his ability to move the ball both ways, the all-time greatest left arm seamer was literally unplayable during his times.

Wasim Akram was the first bowler in ODI history to record 500 wickets. He finished his career as the top wicket-taker for his country in both Tests and ODIs.

Akram was able to get Tendulkar out three in his career.

#6 Muttiah Muralitharan: The smiling assassin from Sri Lanka

The sixth spot is held by the Sri Lankan spin wizard. With his skill to turn ball sharply on any surface, he was the commander for the Sri Lankan bowling unit for 18 years.

With 800 Test wickets, Muttiah Muralitharanis the highest wicket-taker in the history of the game. He also has 534 ODI wickets in his kitty.

Tendulkar fell to Muralitharan 13 times in his career.

#5 Darren Gough: The Dazzler Rhino from England

Darren Goughis considered as the best seamer that England has produced since the retirement of Ian Botham.

He was one of the pioneers of reverse-swing bowling in England. He was also the first English bowler to scalp 200 ODI wickets. He finished his career with 229 Test wickets and 235 ODI wickets.

#4 Allan Donald : The white lightning from Bloemfontein, South Africa

Allan Donald played a major role in South Africa’s successes during their comeback in 1991. With 330 Test wickets and 272 ODI wickets to his name, he is one of the greatest fast bowlers the country has produced.

Donald was able to pick the wicket of Tendulkar five times in ODIs.

#3 Shaun Pollock: Polly, the nibbler from Port Elizabeth,South Africa

With 393 ODI wickets, at a remarkable economy rate of 3.68, he is one the most disciplined bowlers in the history of the game. Along with Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock became the backbone of South African bowling during the 1990s.

He had 421 Test wickets and 393 ODI wickets at the end of his career. Tendulkar lost his wicket to Pollock five times in his ODI career.

#2 Curtly Ambrose: The big-bird from Antigua, West Indies

The 6-ft-7-inch West Indian fast bowler was the deadliest seamer of his generation. When Curtly Ambrosebowled at a rapid pace from that height, even the legendary batsmen seemed clueless in front of him. He had 405 test wickets and 225 ODI wickets during his 12 year career.