Islamabad, March 18 (IANS): India lost their match to Bangladesh in the Asia Cup, but the occasion was made highly special by the subcontinent's "best batsman" Sachin Tendulkar who notched up his 100th international century, a leading Pakistani daily said Sunday.

"There are few records, barring Don Bradman's astonishing Test average of nearly 100 runs per innings, that Tendulkar does not hold," the Dawn said in an editorial.

Tendulkar "complemented his monumental natural gift" with hard work and a "superb understanding" of the game to become "the best batsman the subcontinent, if not the world, has ever produced".

"Bangladesh may have rained on India's parade with a highly unlikely win in the Asia Cup but the occasion was still special for the visiting team. Dhaka witnessed a historic moment in cricketing history on Friday when Indian supremo Sachin Tendulkar, the Little Master, finally notched up his 100th international century encompassing both Tests and One-Day Internationals," the editorial said.

He was one of the youngest cricketers to make his international debut, against Pakistan at the age of just 16 in November 1989 in Karachi.

"Unlike some other promising players of the 1980s and 1990s, his immense talent did not prove to be short-lived," the daily said.

"Brilliant" with the bat and "also handy" with the ball, the daily regretted that Tendulkar "does not turn his arm over much these days".

It said cricket fans across the world acknowledge that Tendulkar is a true maestro, "a man blessed with not just amazing talent but also a sporting spirit that adds lustre to the game".