CricketArchive

Zaheer relishes extra pressure
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter


Player:Z Khan

DateLine: 23rd January 2009

 

Left arm seamer Zaheer Khan credits his leading role for India as a motivating factor in a brilliant run of form that has placed him amongst cricket's best pace bowlers. "I am enjoying the role, the challenge. I am really enjoying the space I'm in right now," the left-arm pacer said. "I like going to sleep with this pressure. I like getting up and facing a new battle. That's how I look at it." Zaheer heads an exciting new-ball attack alongside young man Ishant Sharma, who played a key role in beating Australia and England in back-to-back home Test series previous year.

 

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has praised the 30-year-old Zaheer's contribution as a mentor to young fast bowlers and the way he has guided the richly talented Ishant. Zaheer took 11 wickets and the tall, gangly Ishant 15 in the 2-0 series win over Australia, striking early and then troubling the batsmen by reverse-swinging the old ball on dry pitches. Zaheer, out of action for the first half of 2008 with an ankle injury, signed off last year with the player-of-the-series award against England.

 

"(The role) has definitely made me more responsible about things, about how I go about my business," said Zaheer, who made his Test debut in 2000.

 

Zaheer's control and ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch has helped India, third in the world, believe they can claim the top test ranking in 2009. India travel to New Zealand in February for a Test and One-day series after a five-match One-day series in Sri Lanka starting next week.

 

Despite his early promise, Zaheer once struggled to keep his composure under pressure, while his distinct leap in his delivery stride was blamed for frequent leg injuries. However, his focus on control over pace has been rewarded. "Bowling alongside Ishant is obviously a great help because he provides that extra pace at the other end," Zaheer said.

 

"When I'm maintaining line and length he can actually break free and go for wickets."

 

Zaheer, who has taken 197 wickets from 62 Tests, put his re-emergence down to his spell in English county cricket in 2006. "County to a great extent has helped me achieve consistency as well as develop variations," said Zaheer, who also worked extra hard on fitness. His 78 wickets in 16 games for Worcestershire paved his way back into the India team after being dropped in 2006 due to poor form and injury. He responded with a match-winning performance at Trent Bridge in 2007, taking nine wickets as India won the series 1-0, their first Test series victory in England since 1986. Zaheer's control has even drawn comparisons with Pakistani great Wasim Akram, the ultimate compliment for any left-arm. "I feel I'm in that zone where I can continue the way I am bowling," he said.

 

"In general, just the awareness and experience has helped me grow as a bowler. You've got to keep following the process, trying and pushing it to the next level. It is all about winning matches. Coach Gary Kirsten has been instrumental in whatever we've achieved, in keeping the team intact," he said. "Him and Dhoni make a perfect combination."

LATEST SCORES

| Privacy Policy | FAQs | Contact |
Copyright © 2003-2024 CricketArchive