The Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has announced retirement from International cricket on Thursday 15th October 2015, on day of announcing retirement, this 37 years old left-arm bowler has locked the records with 311 test wickets and 282 ODI wickets, while representing India in international cricket. Zaheer has played 92 test and 200 ODI since his debut in 2000, although Zaheer during his international career constantly suffered injuries, but has been leading teams pace quad.
Zaheer Khan as a leading pace bowler of India touched the peak of his career in year 2007 during England’s tour, prior to which he has also given a noticeable performance in 2003 world cup, where he ended up the tournament with 18 wickets in 11 matches fourth highest wicket taker. Thereafter, he showed up his great bowling tactic in 2011 world cup, this time he bagged 21 wickets in the tournament which is second highest in list of bowlers.
Now, the bowler has said a final goodbye to International cricket, let us go through his achievement as a best bowling spells in world of cricket.
2000 ICC Knock Out Championship
Playing against Australia in quarter final match, Zaheer Khan forced the deadly opener of Australian team Adam Gilchrist, fury continued with a tremendous Yorker ball to the veteran batsmen Steve Waugh, ended its inning in the match. The match figures for this pacer remained most economical, conceding only 40 runs to the opponent and taking two important wickets in 10 over spell, helped India knocking out the champions from the tournament.
2003 World Cup Super Six Clash
Zaheer Khan opening the bowling attack against New Zealand in super six clash of 2003 World Cup, the match became nightmare for Kiwis right from the second ball of the inning, as Craig Macmillan was caught on second ball of the inning trying to flick the ball, next up was Nathan Astle who was sent back to pavilion on third ball. Zaheer once again struck in his 14th over and 29th over taking two more wickets of Kiwi squads. The match figure for him summed as 8-0-42-4 and Indian team won the low scoring match by seven wickets in 40 over.
New Zealand Tour 2002-03
Zaheer Khan defending the total of 99 runs scored in first inning of second test played at Hamilton, team New Zealand managed to put on board 94 runs living a 5 runs trail against marvelous bowling efforts of Khan. He took 5 wickets in the inning which included opening pair of New Zealand squad and Stephen Fleming along with Robert Hart and Daniel Vittori. However, team India lost the series with 2-0 but efforts of Zaheer khan was recorded for rest of life.
England Tour 2007
Zaheer’s high point came during India’s tour of England, where pace bowler Zaheer Khan helped than Captain Rahul Dravid to grab the test series. Zaheer delivered some extraordinary pace and swing in the series, while in second test played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham rattled England’s batting order by taking 4 wickets in first inning and 5 in second. The match result came out in favor of India in 3 match test series, whereas other two matches went off without any result.
2011 World Cup
At the age of 33 Zaheer was a bowling spearhead of team India, represented team during 2011 World Cup under captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Khan took 21 wickets in the tournament and stood as a second highest wicket taker of the tournament, he helped his captain by crucial breakthroughs every time he was given spell, his ability to swing new ball and reverse swing the old ball kept all international batsmen in trouble.
Although Zaheer khan has announced retirement from the International cricket, but has kept himself available for IPL season 9 and even for teaching bowling skills to the new and upcoming mates of team India.
