Famed Pakistan pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis on Monday paid rich tribute to Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, labelling him "the greatest batsman of this era". Tendulkar, 39, announced his retirement from one-day internationals on Sunday after scoring 18,426 runs in 463 matches with 49 centuries - all three world records for most runs, matches and hundreds.

"I don't say that a batsman like him will not come but he was the greatest batsman of this era and to maintain the zeal and fitness for 23 years was a big achievement for him," said Waqar, who retired in 2004. "I also feel proud that I played against him and found him a great player and a nice gentleman." Wasim said Tendulkar's records spoke volumes about his achievements. "It will be tough to match them in the years to come," Wasim told AFP. "He was a special talent and a very special cricketer."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012