5 bowlers who performed brilliantly against their country of origin

India's campaign in the 2016 T20 World Cup got off to the worst possible starts as they succumbed to New Zealand by a huge margin of 47 runs. Almost all of the damage was done by the Kiwi spinners who picked up 9 out of the 10 Indian wickets that fell.Among the three tweakers who played for New Zealand in the opening game of the T20 World Cup was a leg-spinner of Indian origin, Ish Sodhi. The leggie recorded remarkable figures of 3 for 18 in his very first appearance against the Indians and played a crucial role in the Kiwi victory.The history of cricket is filled with several examples of batsmen excelling against their country of origin. However, there have also been quite a few bowlers who have been able to do the same. Here are 5 best instances from recent years:

#5 Sajid Mahmood (England)

Sajid Mahmood produced a stellar performance against Pakistan

6 for 130 against Pakistan

Former England pacer Sajid Mahmood is a Pakistani by birth; however, his best performance in Test cricket came against his country of origin. It was the 3rd Test of a 4-match series between Pakistan and England at Headingley and the hosts were already 1-0 up.

England posted an imposing total of 515 on the board, but the Pakistanis got the better of them putting on 538 in their 1st innings. Mahmood picked up just 2 wickets and gave away more than 100 runs. The English registered 345 in their second essay and left Pakistan 323 to chase in the 4th innings of the match.

This time around, Sajid Mahmood stepped up to the plate and demolished the visitors with his 4 for 22. Pakistan were dismissed for 155 and England sealed the series with a 167-run victory.

#4 Boyd Rankin (England)

Rankin excelled against his home side in an ODI

4 for 46 against Ireland

Boyd Rankin, an Irish by origin, has often been embroiled in controversy for switching cricketing loyalties between Ireland and England. Although Rankin played most of his cricket for his home country of Ireland, his best ODI figures came for England in a match against the Irish team.

The very first game the medium pacer played for the English team was against Ireland in the year 2013 and he had quite a day with the ball in hand. Rankin impressed with figures of 4 for 46 as Ireland were restricted to 269 for 7 in their 50 overs.

Ironically enough, England's successful chase was also steered by another Irish-born player, Eoin Morgan, who scored an unbeaten 124. Recently, though, Rankin returned to the Ireland ranks and represented them at the 2016 T20 World Cup.

#3 Ravi Rampaul (West Indies)

Ravi Rampaul shined in his first match against India

4 for 37 against India

West Indies has a history of being represented by players of Indian origin with many of their star players being descendants of the Asian country. One such West Indian cricketer from recent years is fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, who has bowled with extra fire whenever pitted against his country of origin.

Among Rampaul's finest performances in ODI cricket was his 4 for 37 in the first match that he played against India. The Indians led the 4-ODI series 1-0 as the two teams met in the 2nd game at Kingston. However, they ran into an outstanding spell by the West Indian paceman and were dismissed for 188.

The hosts made short work of the total and won the match by a comfortable margin of 8 wickets. Ravi Rampaul was awarded the Man of the Match award for his fabulous bowling performance.

#2 Imran Tahir (South Africa)

Imran Tahir’s best figures in Tests came against Pakistan

8 for 130 against Pakistan

Born in the Pakistani city of Lahore, Imran Tahir is one of the popular modern day cricketers who plays cricket for a nation other than his country of origin. Tahir has played only one Test against Pakistan; however, he turned out to be the star of the show with a terrific 8-wicket haul.

Having seized the initiative in the 2-match series by winning the 1st Test, Pakistan intended to clinch the series in the 2nd Test at Dubai. Unfortunately for them, though, Imran Tahir had completely different ideas as he went on produce a memorable performance. His 5 for 32 ensured that the Pakistanis were dismissed for 99 in their first innings.

Although Tahir was not as impressive in Pakistan's second innings, he did manage to pick up 3 wickets and ended the match with outstanding figures of 8 for 130. South Africa levelled the series with an innings victory.

#1 Monty Panesar (England)

Panesar destroyed India in the 2012 Mumbai Test

11 for 210 against India

England left-arm spinner of Indian origin, Monty Panesar, has had quite a start-stop career for his country. However, Panesar has produced some fine spells in his 50-Test long career and helped the English team achieve some memorable victories. His best performance came against the Indians in the 2012 Mumbai Test.

India had won the 1st Test of the 4-match series comprehensively and were high in spirits going into the 2nd game. England made some drastic changes to their tactics and one of them was the inclusion of Panesar in the team. It was a move which paid off as the spinner picked up 5 for 129 in India's first innings.

Monty Panesar was even better in the second essay as he claimed 6 for 81 to ensure the Indians were blown away for 142. The Englishmen chased down the target of 57 without losing any wickets and India were annihilated in their own backyard.