Ten most memorable Zaheer Khan moments

Zaheer Khan announced his retirement from international cricket on ThursdayFor a nation with a dry quiver of genuine fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan was a beacon of hope for fifteen years, right from his eye-catching debut in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy. A hostile fast bowler to start with, he created an impact early in his career with his swinging deliveries and pinpoint yorkers. As he progressed and with injuries and age starting to catch up, he molded his craft to become a thinking bowler, cutting down on pace, and bringing in variation and guile in his deliveries. As he retires from international cricket, here is a look at the ten most memorable Zaheer Khan moments.

#1 Debut against Kenya, ICC Champions Trophy, 2000

Zaheer’s potential was evident on his ODI debut

Recruited in the first batch of the National Cricket Academy in 2000, Zaheer was soon drafted into the Indian team. His ODI debut, against Kenya in the ICC Knockout Championship, will be remembered for the lanky pacer’s three-wicket haul.

The first two of those were consecutive yorkers that cleaned up Mohammad Sheikh and Hitesh Modi. He quickly established his reputation of being a quick bowler who could bowl in the 140s. The potential was on display right from the start.

#2 Four sixes against Henry Olanga, 2000

Zaheer Khan was no muck with the bat, producing enthralling yet random moments of brilliance while batting too. One fine day, with India on 256-8, and the last over of the innings in progress, Zaheer clubbed Henry Olanga for four successive sixes, each of them a clean, glorious strike.

Although India went on to lose the match, Zaheer had an interesting bedtime story for his grandchildren. Another similar instance occurred a decade later, when he replied to Brett Lee’s mid-pitch chit chat in the best way possible, hitting a towering six back over his head.

#3 5/29 against New Zealand, Hamilton, 2002

Zaheer’s majestic helped India earn a first-innings lead despite scoring only 99

This topsy-turvy low scoring match started with India getting bundled for a meagre 99. However, against all expectations, the visitors managed to gain a first innings lead, owing to the brilliance of the then 24-year-old Zaheer.

He extracted pace and bounce from the wicket, bowling great lines, producing edges that kept the slip cordon busy throughout the day. His 5-29 was his second five-wicket haul in two Test matches in New Zealand.

#4 75 against Bangladesh, 2004

Zaheer has time and shown his abilities with the bat

In today’s game, tailenders might be evolving into useful lower order batsmen, but for the most part of cricket’s history, the tail’s batting has been the subject of entertainment for the spectators, and sometimes, annoyance for the opposition.

Zaheer Khan provided the best of both in a Test match against Bangladesh in 2004, when he stitched together a 133-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar for the last wicket, in the process becoming the highest score by a No.11 in Test cricket, a record that he held for close to a decade. He hit ten fours and two sixes in an effort that lasted over an hour.

#5 9-138, Worcestershire vs Essex

Zaheer’s impressive stint with Worcestershire led to an India recall

Zaheer came agonizingly close to getting a perfect ten in a single innings against Essex, in a county match for Worcestershire in 2006. One of the two overseas players for his team, he became the first Worcestershire player in over a hundred years to take ten wickets on debut.

Had keeper Steven Davies latched on to a Darren Gough edge, Khan would have become the first bowler ever to take ten wickets for the County. The successful county season led to the recall of a fitter and more experienced Zaheer in Indian colors.

#6 Three wickets in four balls, Bangladesh 2010

Zaheer Khan was Dhoni’s go-to man whenever a budding partnership had to be thwarted. His expertise in reverse swing and clever variations would result in bursts of wickets that would turn the game in India’s favour.

One such instance was on display in 2010, when Zaheer accounted for three Bangladeshi batsmen in the space of four deliveries. Unhindered by a back brace that he had worn for the majority of the morning, he generated late movement to deceive the batsmen, one after the other, setting up a 2-0 Test series victory for India.

#7 Winning runs, NatWest Trophy, 2002

Zaheer Khan hit the winning runs in the final of the NatWest Trophy against England in 2002

The NatWest victory was one of the defining moments of the new generation of the Indian team. The closely fought match had come down to the wire, with India needing two runs off the final over to complete a historic win. At the batting end, however, was a jittery 24-year old Zaheer, trying to sneak a single to give the strike to the more established batsman Kaif.

He got through in the third attempt, running the last run off an overthrow. The sight of a joyous Zaheer and Kaif and a madly ecstatic Ganguly were the resulting memories of that match winning run.

#8 5-94 & 3-43, vs Australia, Mohali 2010

Zaheer put in a match-winning performance against Australia at Mohali

A match that could put most Bollywood dramas to shame is famously remembered for VVS Laxman’s heroic innings of 73. Zaheer Khan, however, set-up the match in the hosts’ favour with a tally of eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, his tenth in Tests.

He shouldered additional responsibility after Ishant Sharma was taken off the field on the second day. He swung the ball in both directions, pricing out left-handers with his clever variations in swing.

#9 ICC World Cup, 2011

3-11 in 3 overs vs England

In pursuit of 339, England got off to a strong start. Andrew Strauss looked in ominous form from the beginning, driving and cutting whatever came his way. The match came to a crucial juncture when Zaheer Khan was re-introduced in the attack after Strauss and Bell had stacked up a big partnership and were readying for the final push.

He snared Bell and Strauss in consecutive balls and his burst of three wickets turning the English rollicking chase into a frenzy. The match eventually ended in a tie.

5-3-6-1 (Opening spell), WC 2011 Finals

The 2003 World Cup final was a big day for the Indian team. A nervy Zaheer Khan, India’s opening bowler, gave way under pressure. His first over cost fifteen runs and the Australians steamrolled India over the course of the next fifty overs.

Cut to 2011, when a more experienced and wiser Zaheer Khan performed the same duties, this time to amazing effect. His first five overs, three of them maidens, went for a measly six runs, and he also picked up the wicket of Upul Tharanga. He was the joint leading wicket-taker of the tournament, along with Shahid Afridi.

#10 5-75 & 4-59 against England, Trent Bridge, 2007

Zaheer Khan was virtually unplayable at Trent Bridge

On the back of an amazing stint with Worcestershire, Zaheer Khan had become a different bowler, being able to control and manage his bowling according to the conditions. The spearhead of a young bowling lineup, he came to his own against England in their backyard in 2007.

At Trent Bridge, his 4-59 on a flat pitch bundled out England for 198. He swung the ball appreciably in the second innings too, returning with figures of 5-75.

With the second new ball in hand, Zaheer saw the back of Michael Vaughan, who had gone past his seventeenth Test hundred. He repeated his splendid performance in the first two sessions with two more wickets in the third, quite literally swinging the match India’s way.