On March 18, 2012 at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Tendulkar was scalped by Ajmal after scoring a 48-ball 52. India won the match by six wickets and with 13 balls to spare but interestingly, Tendulkar quit playing ODIs after that Asia Cup game.
Ajmal jokingly says that it was his wicket that forced Tendulkar to call time on his ODI career after 463 matches. Ajmal also lauded his success against Tendulkar. "I took his wicket in Mohali (2011 World Cup semifinal after Tendulkar scored 85 as an opener with Virender Sehwag) as well. He is a super superstar, that's what the world calls him. He has nearly 50,000 runs in professional cricket. So obviously it was great moment for me when I took his wicket.
"He was having trouble in picking the 'doosra' in his last ODI in the Asia Cup. Misbah said to me we could get him out caught at slips. Younis Khan moved to slips and it worked out exactly as planned. I got the wicket of the world-class batsman and it came off such a great delivery that he was compelled to quit ODI cricket after it," Ajmal said.
Ajmal wants to renew his battle with Tendulkar in the Test arena. Ajmal feels sad that he may not have the opportunity to bowl to Tendulkar on Indian wickets.
"I want to play Test cricket against every team. There is nothing better than performing at the home of the opposition. I haven't played Test cricket in Pakistan either. I want to play in every country. We have a great rivalry with India. It benefits both the countries. But I don't know why the political tensions are not letting us play. I regret that Pakistan and India are not playing cricket against each other," Ajmal said.
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