Zaheer Khan is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers that Indian Cricket has ever produced. His wonderful swing with the new ball and control with the old ball made him an uncanny customer. Batters often found it difficult to negotiate the incredible skillset that Zaheer had.
He was crucial to India’s run to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. His first over in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 was an expensive one. However, Zaheer had the chance to make amends in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. And, he did brilliantly well at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, as India lifted the trophy.
India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, thanks to Zaheer Khan’s remarkable performances throughout the World Cup. He was the top bowler in the tournament with 21 wickets. Zaheer Khan picked up 311 wickets in test matches and 282 wickets in the ODIs.
He surely is among the legends of the Indian Cricket who contributed significantly to the growth and development of Indian Cricket.
All these young bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Mohammad Shami have looked up to legends like Zaheer Khan as their inspiration. Let’s us take a closer look at the career of the great man.
Early Life and Initial Start to the Career:
His parents, Zakia and Bakhtiyar Khan, welcomed him into the world on October 8, 1978, in Shrirampur, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. He grew up in a Marathi Muslim family. He started to receive guidance from Utsav Yadav.
Zaheer attended the New Marathi Primary School and the K.J. Somaiyya Secondary School in Shrirampur. Prior to starting his professional career there, he played in local Revenue Colony Cricket Club (RCC) matches in Shrirampur.
Domestic Debut:
Khan relocated to Mumbai in 1996 and started playing cricket for the National Cricket Club, the city’s Division A squad. He took part in competitions including the Kanga Cricket League, Comrade Shield, and Purshottam Shield with the team.
Zaheer Khan’s International Career:
In 2000, Zaheer was selected for the National Cricket Academy’s initial group in Bangalore. Zaheer Khan made his Test debut against Bangladesh and his ODI debut against Kenya in 2000’s ICC Knockout Trophy.
Zaheer Khan’s One Day Career:
He has taken 32 wickets against Zimbabwe at an average of 17.46 runs per dismissal in ODIs, giving him a total of 282 ODI wickets at an average of slightly over 29 runs per wicket. Along with other seamers like Ashish Nehra and Javagal Srinath, he enabled India to advance to the World Cup finals in 2003.
With 18 wickets from 11 games and an average of 20 runs per wicket, Zaheer placed fourth overall in the competition. With 282 wickets, he is India’s fourth-highest ODI wicket-taker, trailing only Anil Kumble (337), Javagal Srinath (315), and Ajit Agarkar (288)
Zaheer Khan’s Test Career:
Zaheer has picked up 311 Test wickets in his career at an average of just over 32 runs per wicket. Zaheer’s 300th test wicket came from the well-known South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis.
World Cup Glory:
With 44 wickets between 2003 and 2011, Zaheer is sixth on the list of bowlers with the most World Cup victories, after only Glenn McGrath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas, Mitchell Starc, and Lasith Malinga.
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011:
With 21 wickets, Zaheer tied Shahid Afridi for the most wickets taken in the match. Zaheer was one of India’s secret weapons during their 2011 World Cup victory.
Retirement:
Zaheer Khan announced in a tweet on October 15, 2015, that he will be leaving both first-class and international cricket.
