Pakistan opener Abid Ali said on Sunday that despite frosty political relations with India, he wants to meet legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, hug him and get a few batting tips during next month’s World Cup.
The 31-year old made it to the ODI side recently and hit a century on debut against Australia in Dubai last month.
“It’s my wish that I meet Sachin Tendulkar,” Abid was quoted as saying by AFP.
“Definitely, I would like to hug him and I am sure that just like all great players meet youngsters I am sure that he will not turn me down.
“I am sure that if I want to get any information on cricket from Sachin, he will give a positive reply.”
Abid said it will be a memorable day when he meets Tendulkar.
“It will be the best day in my life when I meet him (Tendulkar) because he was one of the best batsmen.
“West Indian Viv Richards was also a great so I want to meet all the great players and learn from them,” added Abid.
Abid said he has tried to model his batting on Tendulkar’s style.
“Actually I have followed Sachin’s technique from day one of my career and after watching him I tried to play like him. He was a great player, just like our own Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf.
“I adopt their good things and leave any bad thing. If I meet him I will try to talk to him and get some advice, mentally and technically, so that it helps me improve my batting.”
Relations between India and Pakistan have been at a low point for a long time and there calls in India to boycott the World Cup match with Pakistan in Manchester on June 16.