'He never said anything and just used to laugh' - Rashid Latif recalls sledging Sachin Tendulkar while wicketkeeping

Sachin Tendulkar’s behaviour on and off the field has always been praised by his fellow cricketers. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has revealed how much he enjoyed watching the little master bat from behind the wicket. Latif played 37 Tests and 166 ODIs for his country between 1992 and 2003. Incidentally, it was also the phase in international cricket when Tendulkar ruled the bowlers and the opposition with his batting.

While speaking on his Youtube channel, the ex-Pakistani player revealed that he never wanted the master blaster to get out. He also stated that watching Sachin bat from behind the stumps is much better than watching him bat live on television.

“Several players came to bat when I used to keep. But when he used to come out to bat, my heart did not want him to get out. I used to enjoy watching him bat, while I was keeping. Not while watching him play on TV, but while I was standing behind the stumps,” Rashid Latif said while opening up on his Youtube channel ‘Caught Behind’.

Sachin never reacted to any sledging, recalls Rashid Latif

The former wicketkeeper then compared Sachin Tendulkar to Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis. He described the Indian cricketer’s behaviour as unique. He also revealed that Sachin never responded to any sledge, instead he would only laugh.

“Whether it was Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting or Jacques Kallis, I always felt like getting them out while I was keeping. Tendulkar’s behaviour was unique. Even if I say something from behind, he never would respond or say something back, he just kept laughing”, Rashid Latif added.

The 51-year-old further said that many batsmen would react to a sledge except for Mohammad Azharuddin and Tendulkar. The ex-Pakistani keeper also said that keepers across the globe would try to sledge him but he would never react and let his bat do the talking.

“Others used to react. He and Mohammad Azharuddin were like this. They used to make opposition’s players their own. This is why everyone admires Tendulkar, especially wicket-keepers. He would slam a hundred, he would be attacking bowlers, but he never said a word. And you are trying to rile him up as a keeper to get him out, but he would never react”, he said.

Rashid Latif also credited Sachin for his on-field behaviour which made him a great player. He pointed out that players with good on-field behaviour are always remembered by their opponents. “You play an innings, you leave. But one always remembers your behaviour. In my opinion, he is at the top of the list of players who had the best on-field behaviour, and such players forever remain etched in your memories,” he added.