Little Master set for 350th one dayer

Sachin Tendulkar will play his 350th one-day international on Friday in the second match against Sri Lanka. And he will set a world record seven matches later when he plays South Africa in Bangalore on November 19.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram holds the world record for most one-dayers with 356 matches. Tendulkar, just back in international cricket after a career-threatening elbow injury, is well on track to erase Akram's mark.

The 32-year-old Indian ace has five more matches against Sri Lanka after Mohali and another five against South Africa starting November 16 in Hyderabad to beat Akram's record.

The second match against South Africa is in Bangalore, and if Tendulkar continues in the same form and fitness, he would add another feather in his much decorated cap.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has played 347 one-dayers and Sanath Jayasuriya, who scored 27 in the first one-day at Nagpur, has appeared in 340, and both are in the race for the world mark.

Tendulkar looked a completely transformed batsman in Nagpur when he scored a 96-ball 93 on Tuesday, reminding one of his amazing batting of late 1990s.

Now, the Mumbai maestro would like to make the occasion memorable at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

He has played only two one-dayers before at the venue, scoring 65 runs.

Tendulkar already had the feel of the ground and the pitch as he had played here only 15 days ago when he returned to competitive cricket following the tennis elbow and subsequent surgery in May.

Although he did not do anything extraordinary in the three matches he played for India Senior, he and coach Greg Chappell were happy with his progress.

Following a satisfying camp in Bangalore post-Challenger Trophy, Tendulkar returned to international arena in the first one-day international at Nagpur Tuesday and exhibited his old penchant for strokes.

The diminutive right-hander cut, pulled and even stepped out to loft the ball over long on and long off, a trademark stroke of Tendulkar's before back, toe and elbow ailments forced him to cut down on his strokes.

He smashed nine boundaries and two sixes even as he at times he looked to be living dangerously.

A former India captain, Tendulkar has played 123 Tests and is also eyeing the world Test centuries' record that he currently holds with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar at 34.

He also holds the world record for the maximum Man of the Match awards - 50.

Tendulkar has scored 13,735 runs at 44.59 in 349 one-dayers, and has also smashed 38 centuries and 70 half-centuries. His highest is an unbeaten 186.

In 123 Tests, he has amassed 10,134 runs at 57.25. He has made 34 centuries and 41 half-centuries, with an unbeaten 248 as the highest.