The craze for the Asia Cup 2023 has slowly and gradually been coming to an end with the tournament starting with the match between Pakistan and Nepal locking horns with each other on August 30 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This will be the 16th edition of the Asia Cup. The Indian team is the most successful team in the history of the tournament. Indian bowling over the years have slowly and gradually improved as it has from strength to strength in the last 20 years.
One of the torchbearers throughout this process of transition was Zaheer Khan, who was known for his terrific new ball bowling. The former India swing bowler emerged as a crucial asset for Indian cricket in the early 2000s, filling a void in fast-bowling talent. With Javagal Srinath’s career winding down, Zaheer excelled as a premier new-ball bowler, especially against left-handers, and mastered reverse swing even with the aging white ball. He proved his prowess in Tests and shone as a World Cup hero, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s finest fast bowlers, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
With Asia Cup approaching let us look at some of the best bowling performances from the legendary bowler;
3. 2-36 vs Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2010
The 2010 edition of the Asia Cup was a tournament that was great for the Indian speedster as he went on to register his best spell in the history of the tournament. In the finals of the tournament, the star left-arm pacer took two wickets in the match and also helped the Indian team win the crucial tournament.
2. 2-41 vs. Pakistan at Dambulla in 2010
In one of the most exciting matches in the history of the Asia Cup 2010, the veteran India speedster went on to register a bowling figure of 2-41 as the majority of his overs also came at the death overs. The former India bowler was one of the reasons for restricting a formidable Pakistan side to a mere total of 267 runs in their dedicated 50 overs. Eventually, India went on to chase the total with one delivery to spare.
1. 2-42 vs Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2010
In the 2010 edition of the Asia Cup, India locked horns with the Sri Lankan team and it did not prove to be a fruitful turn of events for the Indian team as the India team lost to the host Sri Lanka by seven wickets. Defending a target of 210, Zaheer took the wickets of both the openers but the partnership between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene stitched a match-winning partnership to seal the deal for the Sri Lankan team.