His aggressive run-up, a jump off crease, followed by a swinging yorker onto stumps – such was Zaheer Khan's approach to fast bowling that every cricket fan wanted to follow his action. One of genuine match-winners for India, Zaheer Khan was a vital cog in Indian line-up under Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid’s regime.

Zaheer Khan best moments

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As Zaheer Khan celebrates his 41st birthday, let's take a look at five of best moments from his career:

5. Hitting Henry Olanga for four consecutive sixes, 2000

Apart from being India’s premier fast bowler, Zaheer Khan also rescued Team India with his big-hitting abilities. In his first year of international cricket, India were hosting Zimbabwe for a five-match ODI series. In third game of that series, India at one st were 258-8 after 49.2 overs. right-handed batsman n clubbed Zimbabwean Henry Olanga for four sixes of final four balls to end Indian innings at 283-8. 

4. 75 against Banglesh, 2004

In first Test of a two-match series against Banglesh in 2004, Zaheer Khan formed a 133-run 10th wicket stand with Sachin Tendulkar in first innings. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan went onto register ir highest Test scores. Zaheer’s innings came off 115 balls which comprised of 10 boundaries and two sixes.

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3. 5-29 against New Zealand, 2002

India were bowled out for 99 in ir first innings of second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. In an unexpected turnaround, visitors still mand to gain a first-innings le as home team were n bundled out for 94. Zak rocked New Zealand’s batting line-up on his way to figures of 13.2-4-29-5. Team India, however, still lost match but Zaheer’s efforts were much appreciated.

2. Winning runs in NatWest Trophy, 2002

2002 NatWest Trophy win remains one of most defining moments in India’s rich limited-overs history. Chasing a record 326 in final, Zaheer Khan was batting with Mohamm Kaif in final over with two runs still to get. Zaheer guided down a Flintoff delivery for two runs to register one of India’s most famous wins in England.

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1. ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

In a successful World Cup campaign, Zaheer was one of heroes of side which brought cup back home after 28 years. Throughout tournament, Zaheer Khan picked up 21 wickets and was joint wicket-taker alongside Shahid Afridi. His opening spell in final res 5-3-6-1. Those five overs up-front put Sri Lanka under early pressure as Indian batsmen successfully chased down ir 274 run target. 

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