Mumbai: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan today (October 30) backtracked on his comments made a couple weeks ago and called the Indian batting maestro a "real match winner".

Khan, who gave away the Wisden International cricketer of the year award to Aussie one-day captain Ricky Ponting at a function in Mumbai, 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 and I was totally misquoted by the media in Dubai recently", he added to a loud cheer from the crowd.

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

"We (players) are prepared to follow the Indian government's decision on renewal of cricket ties, as it gives the general public a chance to witness some interesting contest between the two sides which is considered one of the best contests in the sport of cricket", he added.

Addressing a short joint press conference with Akhtar, the Mumbai star 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 the next ball. There is no doubt that Akhtar is a great fast bowler but in cricket at some times you win and some times you don't".

PTI