Zaheer has always been a personal favourite of mine - I think he is one of the most intelligent bowlers. I just compared his stats to Jimmy Anderson who, at present, is regarded as probably the 2nd best bowler in the world behind Steyn.
Zaheer: 88 matches (158 innings), 295 wickets, SR 59.7, economy 3.25
Anderson: 87 (161 innings) matches, 326 wickets, SR 58.3, economy 3.09
Both almost neck and neck with Anderson just edging ahead. But, Zaheer has played the majority of his matches in the subcontinent on flatter pitches and has not had the luxury of fast, swinging pitches.
Those 3 maidens he bowled in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka, followed by the wicket of Tharanga was one of the best set ups and spells I've seen!
Obviously on present form I'd have Anderson in my time but Zaheer's stats, especially when compared to Anderson's, paint quite a good picture!
Zaheer Khan
posted on 29/10/13
Bowlers from the sub cont don't always get the credit they deserve. Having to slug it out on flat tracks that benefit long spells of spin. I Zaheer was English his average would be something like 28 in tests and on the flip side if Cook and KP were Indian they would be averaging close to the mid 50's with the bat.
Where does Zaheer rank in the all time Indian pace bowling list?
posted on 29/10/13
Personally Zaheer is up there probably 2/3. I'd put him behind Kapil Dev and Kumble. Can't really comment on the likes of Bedi, Chadrashekhar, etc.
Cook would definitely average higher, not sure about KP though. Bit vulnerable to spin but perhaps he would be better at facing spin if he was brought up on it.
posted on 29/10/13
srinath is the only other quality indian pace bowler i can remember in the last 20 years or so, i would put zaheer ahead of kumble just based on the fact that he workd 3x as hard for his wickets in india,
posted on 29/10/13
Bit harsh, I'd pick Kumble over Khan
posted on 29/10/13
Zaheer comes out near the top of Indian all time greats. doesn't say much for the rest then does it?.He was a good bowler though.
posted on 29/10/13
if andersons considered a great for england why is it such a joke khan is for india? playing half of his games in india his stats are pretty much the same aswell
posted on 29/10/13
very good player Zaheer, just wonder how much longer he has left ? Anderson could play around 4 years more though, maybe making his swansong the next Ashes in England and after that Oz? In which case Jimmy could probably get around 450 test wickets? Which isn't bad.
Will be interesting to see how England do against India over here next year, if we get amongst them i could see another drubbing for India
posted on 2/11/13
Anderson is still an outstanding fielder. Last time I saw Khan, he was pretty sloppy in the field.