10 lesser known facts about Zaheer Khan
Today, cricket fans all around the world woke up to the news that Zaheer Khan would be announcing his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. While it didn’t come as a major shock to most of us – since Zaheer hasn’t played international cricket for a year and a half – it was still a blow to the gut.
From the early 2000s, Zaheer Khan was an integral part of the Indian cricket team. With his swing in the air and his pinpoint yorkers, Zaheer has troubled most major batsmen on every surface possible. Even when his place was threatened by younger and fitter bowlers, he always kept his chin up and came back stronger.
Even after India’s disastrous World Cup in 2007, Zaheer remained India’s best bowler, and his match-winning spells gave India the 2011 World Cup, not to mention several important away victories.
In most of MS Dhoni’s Test victories, Zaheer has been the best bowler, outstripping his compatriots by a fair margin. Though it was unlikely, several fans hoped to see a spark of the old brilliance one more time before Zaheer hung up his boots, but it was not to be.
India will never see another bowler of such outstanding calibre, that he could be counted upon even in the most testing times to bowl a tidy spell or to take a crucial wicket. Zaheer belongs in a different class and India will be hard-pressed to find another like him. On the day marking Zaheer’s retirement, here are ten facts that most of us might not know about India’s spearhead:
- Started out for Baroda in the Ranji
While most of us remember Zaheer as being one of Mumbai’s many cricketing heroes, he actually started his career playing for Baroda. In just his second season for his side, Zaheer led Baroda to a famous win in the final against Railways, as he finished with figures of 5-43.
On the final day, with Railways on 91/4 and 132 more runs to get, Zaheer snapped up two wickets to leave them reeling at 107/6. He then came back later in the day to get three more wickets as Railways were bowled out for 201. Zaheer’s figures on the day were 5 wickets for 16 runs, and this was the match that made him eligible for selection in the Indian side.
- Exciting start at Surrey
In 2004, Zaheer Khan signed on for Surrey as an unpaid cricketer and quickly made an impact. In his first match, he took two wickets in his very first over, and returned with 2-36 in ten overs, enabling Surrey to win a low scoring match.
Though he never played for Surrey in the season again, Zaheer played his only match in the hopes of getting fit for the 2004 Asia Cup, and his efforts were rewarded as he made the final side.
- A Six to finish
Zaheer Khan’s stint at Worcestershire is the stuff of legends. He took 10 wickets in his debut match and then proceeded to take 9 wickets in an innings at Essex. While this seems common knowledge, not many know that Zaheer won a match with the bat.
Chasing 285 against Surrey, Worcestershire were at 281-8, but bad light was threatening to stop play anytime. Zaheer Khan, batting at No.10, walked in and hit the very first ball he faced for a six as Worcestershire won amidst fading light and dramatic scenes. Zaheer proved that he could win a match with the bat as well.
- Bowled through the gate
After a spell of venomous fast bowling against Australia in Nairobi, Zaheer was praised to high heavens. In the match against Zimbabwe at Sharjah, he again proved his class. After nipping out the dangerous Andy Flower in the middle overs, Zaheer returned for a devastating spell. In seven balls, he took three wickets – all of them bowled.
Bowling yorker after yorker, Zaheer ensured that Zimbabwe had no chance of a late surge as he nipped it in the bud. It would prove decisive as India would only sneak past by 3 wickets thanks to Sunil Joshi’s gritty 25 at No.8.
- Highest ODI score
While Zaheer might not have made many contributions with the bat, the ones he has made are all important. Be it the 75 against Bangladesh or the four sixes off Henry Olonga, Zaheer has always kept a high price on his wicket.
That was on display as Zaheer led India to a thrilling win over New Zealand. After picking up three wickets for 30 to bowl New Zealand out for 168, Zaheer saw India slip horrifically to 116-7. Coming in at No.9, Zaheer partnered Yuvraj Singh to take India home.
The innings was a mixture of patience and big hitting as Zaheer faced 42 balls and slammed three fours and a six. The win was also a morale-boosting one, as India had gone seven matches on that tour without a single win.