Naved-ul-Hasan to Virender Sehwag – 2004
Virender Sehwag isn’t your typical cricketer. He ‘d hum while bowling, hit a six while bowling at 99, and smashed other bowlers. The aggressive batsman always tried to get under the skin of Naved, who had successfully claimed his wicket on most occasions.
It happened during the 2004 India-Pakistan series’ first ODI match, which was played at Karachi. Naved had just been involved in eliminating Sachin Tendulkar by taking a catch off Shoaib Akhtar’s bowling. But he soon found out the opening partner of the Indian legend hadn’t made it lightly, and the all-rounder took 24 runs from the first over bowled it. By the end of 10th over, India was 79/1, but after the next six legal deliveries, it suddenly read 103/1.
Sehwag made the confidence of Naved merry as he smashed four edges to bring up his fifty in 41 balls in that over. Naved ‘s 3rd overall started with supremacy over Sehwag ‘s long-on fence, which by then had raced to 82 in 56 with India sailing at 142/1 in just 14.1 overs. Naved decided to bowl a slow yorker on a leg-stump that beat Sehwag when he conceded 38 runs in only 2.1 overs, who was looking for another big hit.
Brett Lee to Brian Lara – 2005
Brian Lara was a headache for the Australians even as the West Indies team in the early 2000s was on the decline. The left-handed batsman enjoyed hitting 900 against Australia in Test cricket. He has scored nearly 3000 runs in 31 Test matches against the Aussies. Lara was frequently seen in solitary fights as his squad began to crumble. Australia’s 2005-06 tour turned out to be his last match in the longer format against the Aussies.
Brisbane hosted the first 3-match Test series game between the two teams. The 149-run knock from Ricky Ponting helped the home side end up with 435 shortly after the 2nd day of the Lunch. West Indies got off to a strong start in their first innings thanks to the opener Devon Smith for half a century. Brian Lara, who takes in No.4 to bat, shared a 50-over stand with him. After the Tea interval, Lara tried to conquer Shane Warne by smashing him for a four and a six.
After conceding as many as 39 runs in his first six overs, Brett Lee got in for a brief spell in the 34th over. Lara pulled one in Lee’s bowling to shift to 30 in the 38th over, as the 3rd wicket partnership crossed 60 runs. Lee, out of ideas, attempted a slower in-dipping to Lara, who, to the West Indian ‘s shock, hit on the pads and was adjudicated LBW. The slower one of Brett Lee registered at 118 KMPH, which was considered bowling at 140 KMPH average.
