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No place for Sehwag in Pak fans' book
Sachin Tendulkar was an overwhelming favourite while Rahul Dravid a distant second among many of the Pak fans in New Delhi for the final ODI.
In the Pakistani fans' book of favourite Indian players, not surprisingly, there is no place for opener Virender Sehwag because when he gets going they can only pray for their side.
Also not surprisingly, star batsman Sachin Tendulkar was an overwhelming favourite while 'The Wall' Rahul Dravid a distant second among many of the two-thousand-odd Pakistani fans, who were in New Delhi to watch the sixth and final One-Day International between the arch-rivals.
"You can't compare Sachin with anyone. He is such a great batsman. He is no doubt the best player in the world," said Hanif, a fan from Lahore.
"No one can match his style. He is simply majestic."
And what about Sehwag? "He is good and aggressive. But not in the same level as the little master," he added.
Sehwag had a fabulous run against the Pakistanis in the away series last year when he hit India's first Test triple century — a 309 in Multan.
The Delhi opener continued his prime form in the ongoing series making 544 runs in the three Tests including a double century at a staggering average of 90.66.
"I like Dravid because of his temperament. He is so cool that even in the tightest of situations he try to keep things under contral," said another Pakistani cricket lover Ayyaz.
But not that only Tendulkar's or Dravid's class holds them ahead of Sehwag. The Delhi opener's brutal assault on Pakistani bowlers on numerous occasions had something to do with his little popularity among the fans from across the border.
"Sehwag hits the Pakistani bowler like no one else. When he clicks he ensures victory for India. We only pray for our side whenever he gets going," added Ayyaz.
Amongst the Pakistani players, Shahid Afridi's popularity has risen like anything following an impressive Test series and an equally good show in the one-dayers.
Afridi played a crucial role in Pakistan winning the third Test in Bangalore and level the three-match series 1-1.
He also single-handedly took Pakistan to a unbeatable 3-2 lead in the series coming into the Kotla one-dayer with a swashbuckling 102 of 46 balls in the fifth match at Kanpur.
"His popularity has soared like anything. This series has made him a hero back home. He deserves a permanent place in both the Test as well as one-day teams," said Waseem.
Haneef added: "The side deserves a great welcome back home. Inzamam-ul-Haq and his boys have done wonders on the tour and they deserve accolades for that."
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has already indicated the treatment awaiting the cricketers back home by announcing Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for Inzamam and Afridi respectively for their performance in the one-day series.
