Sachin Tendulkar’s back spasm was maybe a psychological tactic against Pakistan: Saqlain Mushtaq on the 1999 Chennai Test.

A match that is still remembered after 21 years for our legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The matches between India and Pakistan are always considered as one of the intense rivalries in the sports world. On 31st January, 1st test match was there between India and Pakistan at MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar knock of the game with 136 runs. Though Sachin’s remarkable efforts India losses the game by 12 runs to Pakistan. The test match between India and Pakistan held almost after 9 years of gap. Sachin was even awarded man of the match but he did not turn up for the ceremony to receive his award.

That’s where former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq said that back spasm of Sachin Tendulkar was his tactics to apply Psychological pressure on Pakistan Bowlers. Mushtaq even claimed that Sachin Tendulkar’s 136 runs in Chennai were better than Virender Sehwag’s triple century in Multan. 

Tendulkar has put a lot of resistance during the game to the line-up bowlers like Waqar Yunis, Wasim Akram, and Saqlain Mushtaq.   

Saqlain, who took 5 wickets in the test match, dismissed Tendulkar in 2nd innings but later apologized for the same saying that they did not know if Sachin Tendulkar was having any minor injuries. He claimed that Sachin was showing injuries during batting that day but Pakistani players assumed that it just to pressurize the bowlers to stay safe in the match 

In a YouTube show called Cricket Buzz, it was asked to Saqlain Mushtaq to react on Sachin Tendulkar’s injury during the game and he has been asked: “Did Sachin played the next game after that?” According to Him some batsman and bowlers use these tactics that they would come hobbling and then would bowl a fast bouncer and claim a wicket. 

While giving an interview, Saqlain also commented that “You never know. They were saying that he had back spasms, he played the next test match and after that other matches also.

It is possible that it was something like someone getting a cramp while bowling, but it was not anything major.” He also added that every sportsperson plays with a niggle to two, which can be physical or sometimes even mental. 

In the Chennai match, while chasing for 261 runs for the victory of Indian cricket team. India almost lost half of their wickets around 80 runs only. Sachin stretched a mind-blowing run to 136 with wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia to bring India back to the game.

Despite struggling with back pain Sachin succeeded to beat Pakistan bowlers and but dismissed from the game when India was at 16 runs from the win, hard luck. 

After Sachin’s dismissal, India lost their last 3 wickets, who were able to make only 4 runs extra and Pakistan won the test match by 12 runs. 

Sachin Tendulkar even wept after losing the match to Pakistan. A tournament to remember.