Former India fast bowler and one of the best left-arm quicks ever to play the game, Zaheer Khan celebrates his 40th birthday today.
Born on October 7, 1978, and hailing from Shrirampur, Maharashtra; Zaheer Khan made an impactful debut for India in the 2000 ICC Knockout trophy in Nairobi, Kenya, bowling searing yorkers at speeds of over 145 kmph.
He became a regular of the new look Indian side under Sourav Ganguly and played in the finals of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. He finally tasted World Cup glory in 2011, at home, where he was also the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Zaheer was regarded as one of the best new and old ball bowlers with knowledge of swinging both kinds of balls. He was also no mug with the bat, with a Test best score of 75 against Bangladesh; but is more famous for hitting Zimbabwe’s Henry Olonga for four consecutive sixes in an over in an ODI match.
Zaheer Khan in total played 92 Tests, picking up 311 wickets and 200 ODIs, picking 282 wickets. He also played 17 T20Is and picked 17 wickets in a career spanning from 2000-2014.
As Zaheer turns a new chapter in life post-retirement and marriage with Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge, his former teammates wished Zaheer on his 40th birthday on Twitter.
Here are some tweets:
Happy Birthday wise young man @ImZaheer . Have a great one Zak ! pic.twitter.com/nxP6cTsr3h
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 7, 2018
Happy birthday @ImZaheer! It's been a pleasure! pic.twitter.com/auXaZNhKVk
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 7, 2018
Happy Birthday to the man whose deliveries gatecrashed many stumps , have a great life ahead Gyaan Baba @ImZaheer ! pic.twitter.com/4GJUlvDysm
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 7, 2018
Happy birthday @ImZaheer zed K.. have a great year ...please loose some weight...u were India’s strength ????
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) October 7, 2018
Happy Birthday to one of the greatest Left arm seamer to have played for the Nation @ImZaheer. Have a great day brother! pic.twitter.com/Mnw3ric4mf
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) October 7, 2018
@ImZaheer Happy Birthday Zak bhai! I hope all your wishes come true, today and every day. All the best!
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) October 7, 2018
Happy Bday @ImZaheer! Here’s to the year being nothing but great for you in every way!
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) October 7, 2018
Many happy returns of the day @ImZaheer pa. Have a good one! shehanshah of Indian bowling attack ???? pic.twitter.com/Jej3ANzeZ5
— Pragyan Prayas Ojha (@pragyanojha) October 7, 2018
Happy birthday Mr khan @ImZaheer what a top man ???????? pic.twitter.com/Ea9pRu0nKy
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 7, 2018
Wishing a wonderful man , a great match-winner for India and my buddy @ImZaheer a very very happy Birthday pic.twitter.com/VfpiGZywoF
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 7, 2018