On Thursday, after a lot of deliberation he called time on his 14-year international and first-class career
Zaheer Khan
Mumbai: Modern day cricketers do not particularly enjoy reading what is written about them in the media. But with India’s finest left-arm fast bowler it was different. For Zaheer Khan, these words “Zak is back” provided succor. It pushed him to battle injuries and return on the field to weave his magic with the ball. Modern day bowlers also find it difficult to strike with the old ball, but with the man from a tiny village called Shrirampur, the old ball was his biggest weapon. On Thursday, after a lot of deliberation he called time on his 14-year international and first-class career.
With 311 wickets from 92 Test, Zaheer finished as second best India seamer after Kapil Dev. His 610 victims also make him the fourth highest Indian wicket taker of all time. The speedster, who will retire from all forms after the IPL-9 next year, said he would like to be connected with the game.
During his injury-marred career, Zaheer also underwent two surgeries. He remodeled his action in 2004 and made several comebacks. Zaheer said he was satisfied with all that he achieved. “I would like to be remembered as someone who never gave up. When I look back, I am happy and proud of all that I have achieved,” he said. Bidding adieu to the sport is never easy and Zaheer revealed that he consulted his peers before making the final call. Zak mentioned: “Well, it was tougher than I thought. You always think that last one push is still there and knowing ‘Zak is back’ can happen, I was thinking I could give that push. But somewhere during training ahead of the season, I felt this was the right time to retire from international cricket.”
After being blamed for India’s defeat in the 2003 World Cup finals, for conceding 15 runs in the first over, it was Zaheer who turned it around with his first spell of five overs in the 2011 final at Wankhede giving away just six runs. “I was disappointed after the 2003 World Cup. A night before the 2011 finals, I said to myself I have worked hard to reach here and this is the second opportunity. I was completely zoned after the national anthem,” recollected the pacer.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
