Stats: Top 5 highest wicket takers in ICC World Cups
Veteran Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan announces his retirement leaving his fans in nostalgia. He has assets that today’s Indian bowlers lack. He has pace and swing. He had the ability to out think any batsman. His contribution to the Indian team was immense. He spearheads India’s fast bowling department when Indian topped the ICC Test ranking in 2009. He was the joint highest wicket taker along with Yuvraj Singh in India’s historic World Cup victory at home in 2011.
One-day cricket may not provide a big enough canvas to showcase all his skills with the ball – the swing of both varieties, subtle changes of angles, the use of the bouncer, setting up batsmen through elaborate plans – but he remains one of India’s key bowlers in the format. It was in this format that he announced himself to India, bowling Steve Waugh with a low full-toss in a Champions Trophy match in 2000.
But, the 37, years old, suffered many injuries in his career. In 2005, after playing for Asia XI against Africa XI he was diagnosed with a hamstring injury for 7 months. His performances were remarkable. But, he failed to back in action after 2014 Test match against New Zealand because of injury. His 14-year-old career comes to an end due to a series of injuries, the latest being a shoulder complaint. While announcing his retirement, Zaheer said he will ply his tarde in Indian Premier league.
His teammates paid him rich tributes. Harbhajan Singh, who played with him for a decade, tweeted.
ranji game live on http://t.co/bM2rMrDkUM!! Great boast for domestic cricket followers domestic cricket updates on @bccidomestic
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) October 15, 2015
One of the coolest pace bowlers I know. He was a bowler who could ‘out think’ the batsman most of the times. Always up for a challenge (1/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
I am sure he will do well as he begins a new chapter in his life. Wishing @ImZaheer all success in his retired life (2/2)
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 15, 2015
cricket gave you evthin and it gave me a friend like u an absolute gem So long Zakattack il see u on the other side God bles you @ImZaheer
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 15, 2015
Zaheer played three World Cups for India. Among those three he played two finals. In 2003, young Zaheer khan lost his sharpness in the final against Australia in Johannesburg. Australian opener Adam Gilchrist and captain Ricky Ponting rattled his line and length. In 2007, Tamim Iqbal battered him. However, Zaheer’s 2003 World Cup performance was impressive expect the final. He took 19 wickets in 11 matches in 2003 World Cup. In 2007, India was exited from the group stage losing to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. But, still Zaheer managed 5 wickets in three matches.
His best performance in ICC world championship came in 2011 World Cup at home. He took wickets in every match. Four three wickets and two wickets haul. The match against South Africa in Nagpur, where India lost their only game of the tournament Zaheer Khan got the wicket of Graeme Smith, whom he scalped 13 times in his career. Zaheer added many feathers to his 14-year long illustrative career. One of them is his record in ICC World Cups. He finished his career among the top five bowlers, who have highest wickets in the biggest multilateral tournament of ICC.
Here is the list of top 5 highest wicket takers in ICC World Cups
|
Bowlers |
Innings |
Overs |
Runs |
Wickets |
BBI |
|
Glenn McGrath |
39 |
325.5 |
1292 |
71 |
7/15 |
|
Muttiah Muralitharan |
39 |
343.3 |
1335 |
68 |
4/19 |
|
Wasim Akram |
36 |
324.3 |
1311 |
55 |
5/28 |
|
Chaminda Vaas |
31 |
261.4 |
1040 |
49 |
6/25 |
|
Zaheer Khan |
23 |
198.5 |
890 |
44 |
4/42 |