statguru

He may not have been picked for India’s tour to Sri Lanka, but Zaheer Khan has moved on. I just read that he is enjoying his stint with Worcestershire, a team trying to come back into the first division of the English County Championship.

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Yes, they call him Zippy Zak over there, and he loves it

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Zaheer has been nothing short of sensational, with 59 wickets from 10 games.

Rajas

But he has rarely delivered in international cricket. Look at the way he forced his way back into the team for India’s tour to Pakistan, by taking 43 wickets in six matches in the Duleep and Ranji trophies. But in Pakistan, he looked out of shape, and failed to sustain himself over long spells, even on the seamer-friendly Karachi pitch. I think he’s a classic example of the Graeme Hick syndrome.

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Still, let’s look at the bright side. From all accounts, he has now lost weight and looks in great shape. His run-up, which had become visibly slower, is also quite zippy now.

tensport

This is particularly significant when you consider that Bruce Reid, India’s one-time bowling coach, once described Zaheer’s attitude towards fitness as “mentally lazy”.

stillbatting

Ben Smith, one of Worcestershire’s middle-order batsmen, and a county player with 17 years of experience, says he hasn’t played alongside a better bowler! That’s a tall claim.

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For Worcestershire, he’s been especially good after Shoaib Akhtar’s stint last season. Shoaib was apparently the most unpopular overseas player ever at Worcs, and had a lot to do with the team’s sagging spirit.