Zaheer Khan

Full name: Zaheer Khan
Nickname: Zak
Born: October 7, 1978, Shrirampur, Maharashtra
Major teams: India, ACC Asian XI, Baroda, Surrey, Worcestershire

Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Left-arm fast-medium

Test debut: India v Bangladesh at Dhaka - Nov 10-13, 2000

ODI debut: India v Kenya at Nairobi (Gym) - Oct 3, 2000

Twenty20: Debut India v South Africa at Johannesburg - Dec 1, 2006

PROFILE
Zaheer Khan has been one of the best findings of the Indian team. Zaheer who made his international debut in 2001, left his engineering studies in between to pursue a career in cricket. Showing great skills at the national arena, Zaheer was selected in 2000 for the first intake of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Soon he made his international debut in both test and ODI in the same year.

Zaheer's impressive debut in the ICC Knockout, when two yorkers in three balls speared into the off stumps of Kenyan batsmen, heightened people's expectations. He lived to these expectations and took India to the finals of the world cup 2003. He ended the world cup as the fourth highest wicket taker with 18 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 20.

Zaheer holds the world record for the highest Test score by a number 11 when he scored 75 for India v Bangladesh in Dhaka, 2004. His partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, which produced 133 runs is an Indian-record for the tenth-wicket. Also he hit 4 sixes off the last 4 bowls of the innings to Henry Olonga in Jodhpur which unveils his other potent dimension.

Zaheer Khan has the rare courage to bowl to all batsmen with the same aggressiveness and vigor. He has the talent to swing the ball both ways off the wicket and swing the old ball at the same pace. But after a hamstring injury in late 2003, Zaheer has lost both his pace and place in the team to the new pace generation. But a great English County Season, 2006 and Ranji Trophy, 2006 has got him a place in the national team of which he made the most. Now he is sure to be part of the Indian team for 2007 world cup. Good Luck Zaheer!
Veiw Zaheer's stats at http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/30102.html