09 December,2011 12:59 PM IST | | Agencies
Stunned by the sheer brutality of Virender Sehwag's epic ODI double hundred, former Pakistani cricketers have lauded the Indian opener's "superb" hand-eye coordination with ex-captain Rameez Raja calling him the "King of entertainment".
Paying tribute to Sehwag for his record-breaking innings of 219 runs against West Indies in the fourth one-dayer yesterday, former Pakistan captains said the sheer weight of runs scored by him in a 50-over match was a big feat by itself.
"I have always enjoyed watching him bat because of his positive approach to the game. He might not always use the most orthodox batting technique or methods but there is no doubt he remains a very effective accumulator of runs for India," said Zaheer Abbas.
Zaheer, himself known as the 'Asian Bradman' for his run-scoring feats, said Sehwag was a top class entertainer and drew the crowds like a magnet.
"A double century in a one-day international is a big feat and I congratulate him for his achievement," Zaheer added.
Another former captain Rashid Latif said Sehwag's grand return to his best was bad news for Australia, where India would be heading later this month for a Test series.
"For the Australians, this is really bad news because Sehwag has a terrific record in Australia and if he goes Down Under with this momentum I think the Australian bowlers are going to be in for a tough time," Latif said.
u00a0The former wicketkeeper-batsman said having watched Sehwag closely he had no doubt that the Indian opener was a law by himself.
"I have not seen a batsman with such superb coordination between eye and feet and today he stroked the ball effortlessly. It was savage on the West Indian bowlers," he said.
Moin Khan said he had seen Sehwag score a triple hundred in a Test in Multan in 2004 but felt yesterday's innings was more brutal and effective. "...he appeared on the ball from the start and when he is batting like this I don't think anyone can do much about it." Moin said cricket needed entertainers like Sehwag to become a global sport.
"These players they bring in the crowds. It speaks volumes of Sehwag's ability that he got the record as captain of India."
Pakistan's former captain Rameez Raja also tweeted after Sehwag's double hundred.
"When Viv Richards retired I thought it was end of entertainment. But then came Sehwag, the King of entertainment! Long live the King!!" tweeted Rameez. Pakistan's former batsman Basit Ali said he had always admired Sehwag for his fearless approach to the game.
"He is an outright entertainer and one could expect him to get this record. He played an outstanding innings putting to rest any doubts about his future in the sport," Basit said.
Pakistan's former chief selector Iqbal Qasim said he was mesmerised by Sehwag's double hundred and glued to the TV screen.
"It was one of the most enjoyable innings I have seen. If not for the West Indians. But having bowled to some of the most devastating batsmen in the world I can safely say Sehwag ranks among the best of them."
