MUMBAI, Oct 31: Former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan has called Indian batting maestro Sachin Tandulkar a “real match winner”.

Imran, who gave Wisden International cricketer of the year award to Aussie one-day captain Ricky Ponting at a function here, said “there is no doubt that Sachin Tendulkar is a great batsman and a real match winner”.

“The way he demolished Pakistan bowling in the World Cup in South Africa itself proves that he can win matches for his country single handedly. I was totally misquoted by the media in Dubai,” he added to a loud cheer from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Tendulkar, who won a special award “ESPN Star Sports Moment of the Year” for hitting Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar for a square cut six during Indo-Pak tie in 2003 World Cup, said it was a welcome sign that the two governments have decided to start cricketing ties.

Addressing a joint press conference with Shoaib Akhtar, Tendulkar said “when I was playing that (square cut six) shot, I never thought much about it and soon after playing that shot I was getting ready to face next ball. There is no doubt Akhtar is a great fast bowler but in cricket some times you win and some times you don’t”.

The first Indian to score a century against England during an overseas tour, Mushtaq Ali, gave the award to Tendulkar.

Akhtar said it was good to be back in India as it was like a home away from home.

“I am also proud to be sharing the same platform as Sachin as he is a great batsman and I have been really lucky to be playing cricket with him”, he added.

Aussie disgraced leg spinner Shane Warne, who too is facing a one-year suspension for using banned drugs, won Test bowling performance of the year award for 2002-2003.

Warne, who received his award at hands of another great spinner Muthiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, told reporters “I have been playing cricket as straight as one could and last few months have been really tough for me and my family”.

“However, I am looking forward to coming back to international cricket. I am very passionate about cricket as it has given me every thing I love. I am very lucky to be playing the game, be it for my country or for my club”, he added.

Michael Vaughan and Grahme Smith won Test batting performance of the year and Young cricketer of the year awards.

Rahul Dravid won Indian cricketer of the year while Australian cricket team got special achievement award. Aussie Andrew Bichel won one day performance of the year award.—PPI