On this day, March 18, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar inadvertently played his final One Day International (ODI) match, a fitting end to an illustrious and illustrious career and that too against Pakistan, in the 2012 Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Swashbuckler announced his retirement from ODI cricket on 23 December 2012. The 2012 Asia Cup will be remembered despite India not making the final as the Master Blaster made history by scoring his 100.th International century against Bangladesh in group matches.
Traveling back to 18 March 2012, India vs Pakistan, a line-up of big names, both sides that was respected and proud at stake. Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat against India at Mirpur. Openers Mohammad Hafeez (105) and Nasser Jamshed (112) slammed the Indian attacking unit, scoring centuries and putting on a 224-run stand before Ashwin got his first breakthrough, dismissing Jamshed for 35.th Above.
Adding to India’s misery, Younis Khan scored 52 off 34 balls before being dismissed by Praveen Kumar. It was a tough period for the Indian attacking unit, with Praveen being the costliest bowler for India, registering figures of 2/77. At the end of 50 overs, Pakistan posted a challenging target of 330 for 329/6.
Pride and prestige at stake, it was not the start India wanted as Mohammad Hafeez dismissed opener Gautam Gambhir for a duck in the second ball of the chase. It was on Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to handle the matters, which in fact both did quite well.
Tendulkar played a brilliant knock of 52 before being dismissed by Saeed Ajmal as the two swashbucklers put on a 133-run partnership. After India’s early loss to Gambhir, the Master Blaster kept the innings alive, playing calmly with Kohli and putting India into the chase.
Unsurprisingly at the time, this was the last ODI played by Tendulkar for India. Kohli took matters into his own hands and scored a brilliant century. Kohli along with Rohit Sharma led India in the chase with a brilliant partnership of 172 runs and Rohit was dismissed for 68.
Kohli then went on to score 183 runs, his highest ODI score so far, as India won the Asia Cup by 6 wickets against Pakistan. It was a much-needed victory for India in the tournament, but the Men in Blue were unable to make the final, which saw Pakistan win the 2012 Asia Cup.
Not realizing this, the match against Pakistan will be the last time millions of people will see Sachin Tendulkar don the blue jersey for India. The Master Blaster announced his retirement from ODI cricket on 23 December 2012, scoring 18,426 runs, his highest score being 49 centuries with an unbeaten 200.
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