KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) — Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has rated former West Indies batsman Brian Lara above ex-Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, as a ratings debate over the two legendary cricketers continue.

“Lara was the best batsman I have seen in my entire career spanning 16 years,” Afridi said in an interview with the Daily Bhaskar.

“Personally I found him to be a class above the two other greats of this era, Tendulkar and (Ricky) Pointing.”

Afridi’s comments followed statements from former Australian captain Steve Waugh rating Lara and Tendulkar on equal terms because they played in different conditions and under different sort of pressures.

Waugh was reacting to statements from former West Indies fast bowler and current analyst Michael Holding rating Lara as a technically better player than Tendulkar.

“He was the most difficult batsman I have bowled to in every format of the game. He could play and hit boundaries at will,” Afridi said.

“Especially against the spinners he produced boundaries out of the hat, a superb player and I enjoyed watching him bat.”

Another former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting had rated Lara ahead of Sachin as he felt the West Indian helped his team win more matches.

Afridi said there were times when he felt that Lara could play blindfolded.

“At times, I felt he was so good at playing spin he could even bat well against them blindfolded,” he said.

“Tendulkar and Ponting are also greats, but I thought Lara was a cut above them.”