It has been a fantastic journey, I have enjoyed every moment of it: Zaheer Khan

It has been a fantastic journey, I have enjoyed every moment of it: Zaheer Khan: Zaheer Khan announced his retirement from international and first class cricket on 15 October 2015 with a tweet saying, ‘I bid adieu to my career in international cricket. I look forward to signing off with IPL 9. #ZaksNewBeginning’.

One of India’s best bowlers, Khan was best known for his ability to move the ball both ways off the wicket and reverse-swing the old ball at pace. A master of the art of reverse swing he had an accurate ‘yorker’ and was particularly lethal against the left-handers. He troubled some of the best batsmen in the world including the likes of Hayden, Smith and Sangakkara.

In an interview to bcci.tv about his eventful journey Zaheer Khan said that ‘life had come full circle and is proud of his achievements.’

Speaking about his long career that spanned 92 Tests and 200 ODIs the fast bowler said, ‘It has been a fantastic journey. I have enjoyed every moment of it. Yes, there have been ups and downs and to come back from all the downs has been something special. ‘’Zak is back’’ saying is something which will always stay with me; in terms of any setback I have come back and made my mark again and achieved what I had to achieve. I feel proud of the fact, for the way things have gone for me and the way I have reacted to the situation which I have been put under’.

Explaining about working his way through the difficult phases he said, ‘I have always believed that I should control the controllable and have a clear cut plan and work towards it. And when you are working towards it you shouldn’t think of anything else and that has been my motivation. I always believed that things can turnaround so I just continue going (along) with that.’

‘All my friends have always been there and my family. There are so many people to thank, it’s been amazing, (the) different phases, (the) difficult phases. A lot of people have backed me at the right time and this is an opportunity for me to thank everyone. Also, I thank all the fans as well, who have kept me going and backed me right through out. They are the ones who actually started ‘Zak is back’, so a big thank you to them,’ Zak revealed about the people who helped him get up and get going again.

When asked about his first impressions and earliest memories of international cricket, he opined, ‘The earliest memory, I was very excited. Obviously it’s been a dream to represent your country. Starting from Shrirampur, I never really thought even in my wildest dreams that I will be making it to the international level. But, then the journey started in Mumbai. I landed at the National Cricket Club where I got very valuable advice from Sudhir Naik sir and since then things were just falling in place for me. When I look back I feel that if one link was missing I wouldn’t have been where I am today, be it (MRF) Pace Foundation and working with Dennis Lillie and Mr TA Sekar or going to Baroda and making my Ranji (Trophy) debut from there and then coming back to Mumbai and actually finishing with Mumbai. So I feel it’s been a full circle with which my life has gone.’

Speaking about the batsmen he most enjoyed bowling to, the speedster said, ‘All the lower-order batsmen (laughs), to get their wickets is easy. (Besides Smith, Sangakkara had recently said that you were difficult to bat against.) It’s a great compliment coming from someone like him who has performed at the highest level and consistently achieved so much at the international level. These are the things that you look back on and feel proud about. As a bowler, these are the things which are much more satisfying to know, that the batsmen were looking at me like that. I have always enjoyed the challenge and I have always enjoyed bowling to the best of the batsmen and trying to work their (wicket) out. It has been amazing!’

Talking about the World cup and other memories he said, ‘The whole journey has been fantastic! The World Cup was really special. It comes once in four years and everyone looks forward to it. It’s a big stage. You want to do well for your country all the time, but winning the World Cup for your country puts you right up there and to be able to achieve that once in your career is really special in any cricketer’s life.’

When asked about the people who influenced him as a bowler, a cricketer and person, Zak said, ‘I have achieved everything, I owe it to cricket. Cricket has been my life for the last 20 years. Since the time I left Shrirampur back in 1996 I have been pretty much on the road, so it’s been amazing. There are a lot of people to thank and lot of people have backed my and it’s been an amazing journey. When I look back I feel proud about it.’

‘Actually I have not been that kind of a person (laughs). I find it hard to remember all the things but there are a few spells which stay in your mind like specially the ones where the ball was reversing so I remember getting that different kind of high when I was on the cricket field and the ball is doing some reverse I really enjoyed those phases,’ he replied when asked about any one particular dismissal that he remembers.

He signed off stating, ‘the platform is set now, it is up to the youngsters to take it forward’.