Debuts in sport are always exciting to see. You can never tell how the debutants will perform and if they will have long careers ahead. Two cricketers made their debuts today (15 November) in 1989. These are India's Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistan's Waqar Younis. India were touring Pakistan. Any cricket fan/lover knows that the two men would go on to play pivotal roles for their respective countries.
Two modern greats took their bows in the drawn first Test between Pakistan and India in Karachi. Sachin Tendulkar, aged just 16 years and 205 days (at the time, he was the third-youngest Test cricketer, after Mushtaq Mohammad and Aaqib Javed), gave little hint of what was to follow when he was bowled for 15...by Waqar Younis, who was also making his debut at the age of 17 years and 364 days. Waqar's first-innings figures (19-1-80-4) were more prophetic, being typically expensive and penetrative.
While India unveiled a batting talent in the form of Tendulkar, Pakistan also fielded a debutant in the Test series opener in Karachi. It was none other than Waqar Younis–a fast-bowling legend who represented Pakistan for more than a decade. The right-arm speedster put up a memorable performance in his first Test appearance.
The Pakistan pacer delivered a length ball which Tendulkar tried to push towards the leg side. Tendulkar misjudged the line and ended up being clean-bowled. Apart from Tendulkar, Younis also got the better of Sanjay Manjrekar, Manoj Prabhakar and Kapil Dev in that Karachi Test.
Pakistan batted first and posted 409 in their first innings. Krishnamachari Srikkanth-led India faced a batting collapse. Kapil Dev and Kiran More were the standout batters for the visitors. Both scored a 50 each and helped India register 262.
Besides Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram also chipped in with a four-wicket haul for Pakistan. The home side declared their second innings after scoring 305-5 declared in their second innings. India were set a target of 453 and were able to draw the match; thanks to Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Manjrekar stayed unbeaten on 113 at the end of Day 5 while Sidhu scored a gritty 85 off 155. India had managed to score 303-3 before the match was declared a draw.
After the Test series ended in a draw, Tendulkar went on to make his ODI debut during the same Pakistan tour. He played for India for more than two decades. Tendulkar is the only cricketer in history to register 100 centuries in international cricket.
On the other hand, Younis is regarded as one of the finest bowlers to come out of Pakistan. He also made his name known as one of the most lethal reverse swing bowlers. Younis called time on his international career in 2003 and he finished with 373 wickets in Tests and 416 scalps in ODIs.
It's always beneficial when teams and countries unearth gems. This is especially true if they're young. They can be depended on for many years. As time go on, their journeys and experiences can help the team and country for their future endeavours.