According to NTV Telugu, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar once took the field for the Pakistan national team during an exhibition match. The incident occurred in 1987 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai, two years before Tendulkar made his official international debut for India. At the time, the future 'God of Cricket' was only 13 years old.
During the match, which was a friendly encounter between India and Pakistan, the Pakistani team found themselves short of fielders. Tendulkar, who was present at the stadium, was asked to step in as a substitute fielder for the visitors. This rare historical footnote has been confirmed by Tendulkar in his own memoirs, where he recounted the experience of fielding for the opposing side during his youth.
While the event is often cited as a curiosity in the long-standing sporting rivalry between the two nations, it remains a testament to the early recognition of Tendulkar's talent. Even as a young boy, his presence on the field during such a high-profile exhibition match highlighted the early stages of a career that would eventually see him become the highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket.
The incident is a well-documented piece of cricket history where a 13-year-old Sachin Tendulkar served as a substitute fielder for Pakistan during a 1987 exhibition match against India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. This event is widely acknowledged in sports archives and by Tendulkar himself in his autobiography.
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Original report: NTV Telugu