Zaheer Khan is widely hailed as one of the finest seamers to have played the 'Gentleman's Game' for India. The left arm seamer was considered among the best exponents of seam and swing in both Test and ODI cricket at the the peak of his international career in the 2000s.
Khan was gifted with the ability to move the ball both in the air and also extract good seam movement off the deck. As his career progresses, he developed into a more complete bowler adding more variations to his already potent armoury.
Khan who started off as a tearaway speedster at the turn of the new millennium eventually matured into a very versatile seamer who outfoxed batsmen with his wide repertoire of deliveries.
In a decade long career, Zaheer picked up a staggering 311 Test wickets and also accounted for 288 dismissals in ODIs. He happens to be the the second highest wicket taker among seamers for India in Test cricket behind the legendary Kapil Dev who bagged 434 wickets.
With 269 ODI wickets in his kitty, Zaheer is the fourth highest wicket taker for India in the limited overs format behind Anil Kumble (334), Javagal Srinath (315) and Ajit Agarkar (288)
On his 42nd Birthday let us relive some glorious moments of Zaheer Khan's stellar international career
Hogs Instant Limelight As Tearaway Speedster in 2000 ICC Champions Trophy
Zaheer Khan shot into limelight in the ODI arena as a 22-year old in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy at Nairobi in Kenya. Zaheer wrecked the Australian top order by picking up the wickets of the dangerous wicket keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist and the gritty Steve Waugh to ended up with figures of 2 for 40.
His match winning spell at the Kenyan Capital helped India secure a 20-run win and knock the defending champions out of the tournament.
Spearhead India's Seam Bowling Attack With Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra at 2003 ICC World Cup
Zaheer Khan formed a potent pace troika with the experienced Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra for India at the 2003 ICC World Cup in South Africa. Zaheer's exploits with the ball were pivotal in India making it to the summit clash against eventual champions Australia.
Zaheer produced a game changing spell of 4 for 42 to help India beat New Zealand in the Super Six stages of the tournament at the seamer friendly SuperSport Park in Centurion. Zaheer ended the World Cup as India's leading wicket taker with 18 wickets in 11 games.
Bagged 18 Wickets In 3 Tests To Help India Clinch Series Against England
Zaheer Khan's defining moment of his stellar Test career came in India's series against England on their backyard in 2007. Khan who spearheaded the visitors seam attack in seam friendly English conditions bagged 18 wickets in 3 Tests to help Rahul Dravid-led Indian team clinch a memorable 1-0 series win.
'Zak' was awarded the Man of the Series for his bowling heroics in India's overseas Test assignment and his stellar season with the red cherry rightfully earned him the coveted Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008.
Hero With The Ball In India's 2011 ICC World Cup winning Campaign at home
Zaheer Khan once again led the Indian pace attack from the front in the title winning 2011 ICC World Cup campaign on home soil. Zak contributed immensely with the ball to help India win their second World Cup by picking up 21 wickets in the tournament. Zaheer was in red hot form with the ball all through the group assignment, picking up wickets against West Indies, South Africa and England.
He delivered the goods with the ball in the quarterfinals against Australia and in the semis against arch rivals Pakistan.
Zaheer ended the tournament as the joint highest wicket taker (21 wickets) with Pakistani leg spinner Shahid Afridi.