Zaheer Khan is arguably the best left-arm fast bowler India has produced to date, and while his career numbers speak for themselves, there is one batsman who can validate it more than all other Zaheer bowled to across formats.
Zaheer, with his ability to move the new ball both ways and reverse-swing the old ball, was a tough customer to face and had a special liking for left-handed batsmen; but none more than former South Africa captain Graeme Smith.
“He was someone against whom you would always want to be on your guard,” Smith had said in an interview with cricket.com.
But there is no doubt that Zaheer had Smith’s number whenever the two had a face-off, both in white-ball and red-ball cricket.
The two played against each other in 11 Tests, where Zaheer dismissed the South African opener 7 times.
In white-ball internationals, Zaheer got the better of Smith 6 times in 14 ODIs and once in two T20Is.
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“Zaheer was one of the skillful bowlers I’ve faced, especially to left-handers,” Smith said in the interview. “He got the ball to swing away and had a great change of pace. He bowled well with the reverse-swinging ball.
“He certainly got the better of me on a couple of occasions! But yes, he was certainly one of the most skillful bowlers in my entire career, of all who I have faced.”
Zaheer played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is before retiring and took 311, 282 and 17 wickets respectively.
