One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time has paid one of our greats the ultimate compliment.
Pakistan left-armer Wasim Akram, who took over 900 wickets in his international career, believes the late Martin Crowe was the best batsman he's ever bowled against.
"Whenever somebody asks me who is the best batsman I bowled against I have one name and that is Martin Crowe," he told Newshub.
"The reason being his technique against the new ball and his technique to the reverse swing bowling. In those days nobody knew what reverse swing was apart from the Pakistani bowlers, yet he was phenomenal at playing it.
"He got runs off both me and Waqar [Younis] one time with the ball swinging 6-12 inches every delivery, just phenomenal."
Crowe made an instant impression on Akram as he was breaking into Pakistan's national side.
"I remember seeing Martin for the first time when I was starting out my career," he said.
"New Zealand toured Pakistan in 1984 and I got picked up for a three-day game against a New Zealand side. Then I went to New Zealand in January 1985 and made my international debut against them.
"I've bowled against a lot of top batsman in the world in a lot of different eras but he was definitely one of the most difficult."
Akram and Crowe met each other a total of 13 times on the international stage, four times in tests and nine in ODIs, including that famous 1992 Cricket World Cup semi-final at Eden Park.
"He was always there for you, very helpful, very easy to talk to, and he had a great sense of humour. I learned a lot from him both on and off the field, he was my hero," Akram said.
"I reckon he was the best captain New Zealand has ever produced. Overall, a true legend."
Last year's World Cup in New Zealand was the last time the two crossed paths.
"We met just last year during the Cricket World Cup, he came up to the commentary box at one of the games. And I told Martin, 'You are the best I've ever bowled against'. And he was so happy.
"I bumped into his brother Jeff Crowe, who was a match referee during the Australia series against India, just before Christmas and I said to Jeff, 'Please tell Martin again he was the best I ever bowled against'.
"He will be sadly missed that's for sure, I wish all the luck to his family at this time."
Watch the video for the full interview.
Newshub.
