3 best bowling performances of Heath Streak

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been diagnosed with cancer and currently, he is getting treated for the disease in South Africa. Streak, who turned 49 a few months back, played a lot of cricket for Zimbabwe in 1990s and 2000s. After making his international debut in 1993, he rose to the ranks at a rapid pace in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Tests.  

In the 2000s, Streak captained Zimbabwe but the differences between him and the Zimbabwean Cricket board forced the former to resign from the captaincy in 2004. After retiring from all forms of cricket, he made his way into the coaching field. In the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Streak served Gujarat Lions and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2017 and 2018 respectively as their bowling coach.

Here are the three best bowling performances of Heath Streak 

3. 4/18 vs Pakistan in 1997, 1996–97 Singer Akai Cup

In the 1996-97 Singer-Akai Cup, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe competed against one another in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Zimbabwe and Pakistan locked horns in the sixth match of the tournament. For both teams, it was a do-or-die game as Sri Lanka were already into the final.

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram won the toss and put his team to bat first. In the crucial contest, Streak showcased his best with the ball against Pakistan’s quality batting attack. Bowling his 10-over spell, he dismissed Mohammad Wasim, Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi, and Saqlain Mushtaq. 

Riding on his superb bowling performance, Zimbabwe contained the opponents to a mere 151/9 in their 50 overs. Despite Streak’s phenomenal efforts, Akram and his men pocketed the match in the end by 32 runs as the Zimbabwe batters capitulated in front of Pakistan’s disciplined bowling. However, Streak, who picked up 4/18 figures in his 10 overs, came out as the most efficient bowler in the match.