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If you are an Indian or cricket fan, then you will never forget the Coca-cola Sharjah Cup (1998) last league match and the final. Sachin Tendulkar’s best two ODI centuries came in Sharjah 1998. Metromaaza is proud to get hold of the final match - Tendulkar’s innings. Those two matches showed the whole world who was real Sachin Tendulkar.

Every time he walks out to bat, he carries the hopes and aspirations of a billion people with him

On 22nd April 1998 India had to beat Australia in the last league match in the Coca-Cola Cup to enter the finals. The Australians, batting first, had piled on an imposing 283. India lost four quick wickets and the required rate rocketed to more than a run a ball in the remaining 20 odd overs. A furious sand-storm hit the stadium stopping play for half an hour.

By the time play resumed, the target was readjusted to an even steeper 94 runs in 87 balls. He smashed the very first ball off Michael Kasprowicz for a six and hammered his way to 143. India lost the match by 20 odd runs but Sachin had accomplished his mission: to see India through to the Coca-Cola Cup final for yet another showdown with the Aussies.

Two days later at the same venue, in the final against Australia on his 25th Birthday, he gave himself the perfect birthday present with a match-winning, final-clinching century. Just like before, Australia batted first and put up a formidable target of 273. This time, Tendulkar went after the Aussie bowling, ending up with a match-winning 134 (131 balls). While his previous effort was brutality personified, this time Tendulkar batted with scalpel-like precision. Sachin uncorked his trademark power-packed shots only after India was well on the road to victory.

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India won the trophy beating Australia by 6 wickets. In the tournament, Sachin scored 435 runs at an average of 87.00 in 5 innings and scored 2 centuries. He also won the Man of the Series award.