Bacher pays tribute to 'greatest cricketer in world' Tendulkar following retirement announcement

Former South African cricketer Ali Bacher has paid his tributes to Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar, saying that Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers the world has seen.

The Indian batting icon, who retired from one-day cricket in December 2012, had announced that he would retire from Test cricket later this year, hours before the Twenty20 international clash between Australia and India in Rajkot.

According to Sport24, Bacher said that he had been privileged to know Tendulkar and watch him play on numerous occasions, adding that the 'Little Master' has handled the expectations, the hopes and aspirations of over 1.3 billion people in India for more than two decades with extraordinary maturity, calmness and responsibility.

Stating that Tendulkar has always been humble without any skeletons in his cupboard, Bacher further hailed the Indian icon, saying that during his long and distinguished career, as a person both on and off the field, Tendulkar has always shown respect for his peers and elders.

Bacher further said that Tendulkar, who has played 198 Tests till now, has been a great asset to the game of cricket, adding that the world of cricket thanked him for his wonderful contributions to the game as he dropped the curtains on his career.

The report mentioned that Tendulkar, who made his Test debut for India at age 16, against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989, would end his career with two Test matches against the West Indies in November and the second game would be his 200th and final Test.