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NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja has described Indian opener Virender Sehwag as the most destructive and entertaining batsman in modern cricket.

Lavishing praise on the right-hander, who is in scintillating form right now, Rameez said Sehwag is the only batsman in the world he would pay to watch.

"He is the Shah Rukh Khan of cricket. He is the world's number one batsman when it comes to entertaining the crowd. It won't be an exaggeration to describe him as modern cricket's most destructive batsman. He is the only batsman I would pay to watch," Rameez said.

Often compared to Vivian Richards for his aggressive batting, Rameez said Sehwag is actually ahead of the West Indian great when it comes to strike rate.

"They can't be compared but as far as strike rate is concerned, Sehwag is actually ahead of Richards," he said.

"Richards redefined batting against fast bowlers. He showed that pacers can be played on the front foot. Sehwag has a similar but more evolved style of batting," he added.

"Both of them can bring the world's best bowlers to their knees."

Sehwag was adjudged Man of the Series in the just-concluded Test series against Sri Lanka, during which he scored a whopping 491 runs in three matches.

He came close to becoming the first batsman in cricket's history to score three triple hundreds but missed the milestone when he was dismissed for 293 in the third Test in Mumbai.

Sehwag has been criticised for being too extravagant with his shot selection, which has cost him his wicket at crucial junctures, but Rameez felt the opener can be excused for his recklessness given the impact he makes when on song.

"He is in a league of his own. At times, he plays bad shots and gets out but a batsman like him can be forgiven for that. I don't think it's fair to criticise him if he commits a mistake once in a while," he said.