Sachin has once again made more than one billion Indians proud. My hearty congratulations to the master blaster. He has scaled an unconquered peak of international cricket by scoring 12,027 runs in test cricket, surpassing Brian Lara's record of 11,953 runs, while playing against Australia, a country where he is revered as the greatest batsman since Sir Donald Bradman. Sachin Tendulkar's record raises spirits in India at a time when the country is under gloom by the recent terrorist attacks, the financial crisis and crippling inflation. Tendulkar has all the ingredients of a legendary sportsmen. He is a master in his game, has broken world records, a fierce competitor, and has been around for the past 19 years. It's not fun to bat when a billion people are demanding tons of runs. It says much for Tendulkar as a man and as a sportsman that he has survived these expectations. Sir Don Bradman, the Australian great, said of Sachin, “He reminds me of myself.” The master blaster now stands tall in the annals of cricket history. We hope more runs and tons will flow from his bat in future. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki Jeddah __
