Zaheer Khan's International career in numbers

Zaheer Khan was a crucial ingredient for success in Indian cricket for nearly 15 years between 2000 and 2014 where India achieved new heights and put its steps towards becoming a strong cricketing nation on and off the field. The left-armer delivered in crisis and turned out to be a nightmare for many reputed left-handed batsmen.

On occasion of Zaheer Khan’s 39th birthday, we look at some of the numbers and records he produced in International cricket.

3 – He was the highest wicket-taker in three consecutive 50-over World Cups for India. He picked up 18 wickets in 2003, five in 2007 and 21 in 2011 editions of CWC.

4 – Number of consecutive sixes he hit in 2000 ODI game against Zimbabwe at Jodhpur. He is the only Indian to hit four consecutive sixes in ODI cricket till date.

5/170 – Zaheer became the oldest Indian pacer to take a 5-wicket haul when he picked up 5/170 in his last Test match against New Zealand in 2014 at Wellington.

14 – Number of times Zak dismissed Graeme Smith in International cricket. He also dismissed Kumar Sangakkara (11), Graeme Smith (10) and Matthew Hayden (10) over ten times across formats.

21 – The 21 wickets he bagged in the 2011 World Cup hosted in the sub-continent are the most by any Indian in a single World Cup edition. It was also the joint-most in the 2011 CWC along with Shahid Afridi.

44 – He holds the record for being the highest wicket-taker for India in the 50-over World Cup. He has picked up 44 wickets from 23 matches he played between 2003 and 2011.

75 – His highest Test score of 75 came in 2004 against Bangladesh while batting at No.11. It was then the highest individual score by a No.11 in this format. His 133-run stand for the 10th wicket along with Sachin Tendulkar is still the highest for India in Test cricket.

282 – Zaheer’s 282 ODI wickets are the 4th most among Indian players after Anil Kumble (337), Javagal Srinath (315) and Ajit Agarkar (288).

311 – He is the 4th highest wicket-taker among Indian players in Test cricket after Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and Harbhajan Singh (417).

610 – Zak’s 610 wickets in International cricket are the 4th most among Indian players. Only Anil Kumble (956), Harbhajan Singh (711) and Kapil Dev (687) have picked more wickets.