Zaheer Khan - "the best death bowler in the world"

[Paradox]

watching the Sky panel doing the mid-innings discussion for the 1st ODI between South Africa and India, and I think it's Robert Key in the studio who's just said Zaheer Khan is probably the death bowler in the world

[*sallu*]

The Malingas and the Guls must have had a good laugh or 2

Zaheer does come in the top 10 though

[Paradox]

Yes, in the top 10, but "the best" is WAY too big of an overstatement

Maybe because Key only played for England for a short while and never faced the bowling of Gul.

[*sallu*]

On a side note though, Gul is too inconsistent, if hes landing the yorker, hes better than anyone in the world but he totally loses it sometimes

But just for consistency, I'd have to give it to Malinga who rarely ever errs.

[speed_thrills]

Zaheer is a garbage ODI/T20 bowler.

[Sledger]

Not even in the top 10. Saeed Ajmal is a better death bowler.

[msmkt]

Zaheer is still a student of the death bowl club where as the prof is Umar Gul

[Afridi_Fan]

And Tensports made him "Sultan of Speed."

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by Paradox Yes, in the top 10, but "the best" is WAY too big of an overstatement Maybe because Key only played for England for a short while and never faced the bowling of Gul.

You mentioning gul is a big joke.

Zaheer is very consistent and always do well. Don't want to discuss the best or worst thing but he is way better then gul.

[1137moiz]

SempreSami where are you?

Malinga probably trumps this, though Zaheer and Gul are capable

[JellyBro]

haters. Let me see you bowl 80mph yorkers

[msmkt]

my friend take a look at t20 stats..and it will says it all who is the best..

[A.M.]

Originally Posted by Danish407 haters. Let me see you bowl 80mph yorkers

hahahahah

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by thelandofthebravepeople You mentioning gul is a big joke. Zaheer is very consistent and always do well. Don't want to discuss the best or worst thing but he is way better then gul.

Ouch! Did he touched a wrong nerve there?

[qaiser]

Originally Posted by Sledger Not even in the top 10. Saeed Ajmal is a better death bowler.

yeah like his last over against hussey in t20

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan Ouch! Did he touched a wrong nerve there?

What are you talking about?

Gul has been poor long time so no need to hype him up when he is doing so bad. Last time we lost T20 because he gave 24 runs to a nobody.

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by qaiser yeah like his last over against hussey in t20

LoL, so you are just ready to deny Ajmal being a good Death bowler on the basis of one over? What about the game against SA where he chocked them in the Super 8 game?

[Liverpool_Faizan]

dont know why ur all laughing. ZK is actually pretty good at the end of the innings.

unlike akhtar or broad he doesnt leak too much and can land a good yorker.

[hashbb]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan LoL, so you are just ready to deny Ajmal being a good Death bowler on the basis of one over? What about the game against SA where he chocked them in the Super 8 game?

Pre- Hussey Rape, he was our Go to Man in death bowling

[1137moiz]

Originally Posted by Liverpool_Faizan dont know why ur all laughing. ZK is actually pretty good at the end of the innings. unlike akhtar or broad he doesnt leak too much and can land a good yorker.

Yes Zaheer is capable, but nowhere near the best

[Liverpool_Faizan]

Originally Posted by 1137moiz Yes Zaheer is capable, but nowhere near the best

u cant say whose the best. there is no definite answer

[Afridi_Fan]

Originally Posted by hashbb Pre- Hussey Rape, he was our Go to Man in death bowling

So on the basis of that one over can we say that is not a good death bowler?

[freelance_cricketer]

Zaheer is a decent death overs bowler, being best though would be an overstatement.

And i rate Zaheer higher than Umar Gul

[*sallu*]

Malinga and Gul (most of the times) are at the top of the tree and then there is a fair gap among the rest.

I'd put Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal among Pakistanis who are comfortably better death bowlers than Zaheer.

[*sallu*]

btw, theres this guy Alfonso Thomas in England whos a very good death bowler, he'd be in my top 10 as well

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Malinga and Gul (most of the times) are at the top of the tree and then there is a fair gap among the rest. I'd put Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal among Pakistanis who are comfortably better death bowlers than Zaheer.

Gul was good once, long time ago I have seen him on song. So its a bit wrong to say he is good most of the times.

Wahab has only been around for short period and i am not even sure he has been bowling at the death most of the time, so a bit subjactive to say he is better then Zaheer.

Saeed is though class.

[SOSami]

These mindless commentators who are paid to talk rubbish, we need proper pundits who are willing to tell it like it is........that Sami is the best.

[*sallu*]

Bresnan is someone who has been surprisingly impressive at the death

Bowls the yorker to precision as well. Not in Malinga's (or Guls) league though, but I'd put him in the top 5 going around

[161 KPH]

Originally Posted by *sallu* btw, theres this guy Alfonso Thomas in England whos a very good death bowler, he'd be in my top 10 as well

Alfonso is a great death bowler, he's been superb for Somerset.
I'm very suprised that he has not been in the South African setup besides I think 1 t20 against us.

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Guls T20 bowling overall last 12 months.
11 matches, 8 wickets at average of 37,50 with econ 8,82 - And you say good most of the time? My ass, he been crack most of the time recently.

Odi record for Past 12 months is though a bit better:
8 matches, 15 wickets at average of 29,26 and econ of 6,25

[LegCutter]

It's been a long long while since Umar Gul has been effective at death, I gotta rate Zaheer Khan higher than Gul right now as a general bowler; dont know about precisely death bowling though.

[1137moiz]

Originally Posted by *sallu* Bresnan is someone who has been surprisingly impressive at the death Bowls the yorker to precision as well. Not in Malinga's (or Guls) league though, but I'd put him in the top 5 going around

Not really; remember those five fours in a row smashed by Abdul Razzaq? In general too he is just mediocre

He's an OK bowler in one-day cricket. A good bits and pieces player.

I like him though

[qaiser]

Originally Posted by hashbb Pre- Hussey Rape, he was our Go to Man in death bowling

since that trauma, he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, and unable to perform in death overs

[sultanator]

Originally Posted by thelandofthebravepeople you mentioning gul is a big joke. Zaheer is very consistent and always do well. Don't want to discuss the best or worst thing but he is way better then gul.

... .. .. .....

[qaiser]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan So on the basis of that one over can we say that is not a good death bowler?

what good death bowling has he done since that one over to be considered the best death bowler

[1137moiz]

Bravo, Southee and Parnell are crap early but fine bowlers late on

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by 1137moiz Not really; remember those five fours in a row smashed by Abdul Razzaq? In general too he is just mediocre He's an OK bowler in one-day cricket. A good bits and pieces player. I like him though

He has improved a lot and has a mean yorker now
And anways
(i) Razzaq, when in that mood will destroy any bowler, irrespective
(ii) Gul, Malinga etc have had overs where they've gone for plenty as well

Bresnan is generally a good death bowler

[1137moiz]

Originally Posted by *sallu* He has improved a lot and has a mean yorker now And anways (i) Razzaq, when in that mood will destroy any bowler, irrespective (ii) Gul, Malinga etc have had overs where they've gone for plenty as well Bresnan is generally a good death bowler

Abdul Razzaq is, MashaAllah, one of the best late-over hitters in the world but I do know that bowlers with good outswingers and decent pace occasionally trouble him. Bresnan has only played 2 or 3 matches since, and only 2 LO matches. He tends to bowl too many slower balls and his yorkers tend to veer on full-toss length

[Paradox]

Alfonso Thomas, Bresnan, Rusty Theron and Ajmal would have to be one of the most underrated T20 death bowlers ever.

[s2k]

Zaheer is one of the better death bowlers,the best would be Malinga.

[UmarAkmals-fan]

damn u pakistanis always jealous of our phaast bowlers ...u guys must be burning inside when zak bowls those 75mph yorkers from hell

[Rana]

I guess everyone is licking them these days.

[Sledger]

South Africa are giving them quite a licking as we speak.

[*sallu*]

Rusty Theron is also an impressive death bowler

[SempreSami]

Originally Posted by 1137moiz SempreSami where are you? Malinga probably trumps this, though Zaheer and Gul are capable

Hello.

TBH Key also said that if Sehwag was going to bat like he always does in the first Test in South Africa then he might as well go to pre-season nets back at Kent and start slogging.

And Khan's wobbly trundlers are just what you don't want to face at the death anyway.

[*sallu*]

So, so far I can safely say we have

Malinga, Umar Gul, Alfonso Thomas, Parnell, Theron, Ajmal and Southee for sure

and

Bravo, Bresnan, Tait, Wahab who are possibly better or equal to

Zaheer

[SOSami]

Sidebottom was underrated too.

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by SOSami Sidebottom was underrated too.

I thought of him, but hes not included because he has retired

He only bowled slower bouncers lol

[Sledger]

should be on the list as well.

[*sallu*]

Originally Posted by Sledger should be on the list as well.

At his time he was, not fit enough to bowl well beyond the 40th over now

He invariably gets a phainty now later on

[Sledger]

Not really, he's still one of the best death bowlers in world cricket. His bowling with Gul at the end in England was amazing. He bowled well at the death against SA recently as well.

Wahab might also make the list soon. His death bowling during that SA series was high quality stuff.

[IAJ]

Originally Posted by s2k Zaheer is one of the better death bowlers,the best would be Malinga.

Yes Zaheer is one of the best death bowlers in the world, no doubt about that. I saw him today as well and the batsmen struggled to put him away.

But I still think Malinga and Gul is better than him.

[iRfaN_LA]

Originally Posted by UmarAkmals-fan damn u pakistanis always jealous of our phaast bowlers ...u guys must be burning inside when zak bowls those 75mph yorkers from hell

hahahaha

[iRfaN_LA]

Originally Posted by SOSami These mindless commentators who are paid to talk rubbish, we need proper pundits who are willing to tell it like it is........that Sami is the best.

You nailed it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! End of discussion

[kingusama92]

Malinga is the undisputed champ in this department. Brilliantly accurate and rapid.

Rusty Theron is class, as well. Although, he can't do much else.

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Sledger He bowled well at the death against SA recently as well.

No dude, was (one of) the main factor(s) we lost the 5th ODI and the series against South Africa, Duminy thrashed him.

Usually alright though, but the Pak think tank need to make a plan for Shoaib bowling in Twenty20s. Fine in ODIs I guess.

[SAF]

Even Saeed ajmal is a better death bowler than him

[Mobashir]

Surprised no one named Anderson...
I know he has not always been good but in the last two years his death bowling is special...

[Sledger]

Originally Posted by Paradox No dude, was (one of) the main factor(s) we lost the 5th ODI and the series against South Africa, Duminy thrashed him.

There were four ODIs before that.

In T20s, he should probably bowl all 4 at the start.

[Paradox]

Yeah - my top 5 underrated death bowlers would be: Ajmal, Theron, Alfonso, Bresnan, and Wahab.

Southee has the reputation and gets the appreciation he deserves as a death bowler, everybody knows he's part of the cream of the crop. Gul and Malinga as well, although for some reason commentators/analysts always think of Malinga first for some reason when talking about the best death bowler in the world, maybe because of his hair or something.

Gul > Malinga, usually. Because I doubt Malinga would have bowled the consecutive 15 odd yorkers Gul bowled in a crunch match like the WT20 semi against South Africa in '09.

Malinga is more CONSISTENT (match-wise), but when Gul gets it right, Malinga is no match for him.

[kkmix]

What are you guys talking about? Zaheer Khan is the best bowler in the world.

NAATTTT

But Southee isn't bad when it comes to death bowling, I've seen him bowl good yorker at the end of the innings.

[Atif]

Originally Posted by Mobashir Surprised no one named Anderson... I know he has not always been good but in the last two years his death bowling is special...

Will be intresting to see how "special" his death bowling is during the WC...

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by kkmix But Southee isn't bad when it comes to death bowling, I've seen him bowl good yorker at the end of the innings.

Not bad?! He's damn outstanding at it.



His reputation went from this much to this much after this performance. Cream of the crop. Up there with Gul, Malinga, etc.

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by Sledger In T20s, he should probably bowl all 4 at the start.

3 at the start and 1 at the end, I say. Keep one over for the end JUST IN CASE. I'll quote myself from another thread:

Originally Posted by Paradox There is no need to bowl with Razzaq. It should just be this. Simple. 5 proper bowlers, all 5 of them bowl their 4-over quota. 20 overs, done. There is no need to bowl with Razzaq unless one of Akhtar/Wahab/Gul are getting tonked (and there is no point as Razzaq will most probably get hit around too) and there is no need to bowl with Hafeez unless one of Afridi or Ajmal are getting tonked, OR the opposition is clueless against spin, OR the pitch is doing well for spinners. Here is how I'd ideally pan the innings out: -- 1. Akhtar 2. Wahab 3. Akhtar 4. Wahab 5. Akhtar Wahab (in the two T20s) has shown he seems to be a better bowler in the death than Akhtar, so I'd make Akhtar bowl 3 overs in the start and Wahab bowl 2, as Wahab can bowl his remaining 2 overs in the death. -- 6. Ajmal 7. Afridi 8. Ajmal 9. Afridi 10. Ajmal 11. Afridi 12. Ajmal 13. Afridi This part is self-explanatory. Ajmal and Afridi to bowl out, 4 consecutive overs each. None of our fast bowlers, at ANY time during the middle overs in this stage, should bowl. Not even Razzaq. And of course, Hafeez CAN give it a bowl during this time too if things aren't going well with one or both of Ajmal and Afridi. And obviously the choice of who starts the 6th over will depend on the end, boundary sizes, etc etc. -- 14. Gul 15. Akhtar 16. Gul 17. Wahab 18. Gul 19. Wahab 20. Gul And that's how it'll end - Gul to bowl from the 14th, 4 consecutive overs from the same end.

[Mobashir]

Originally Posted by Atif Will be intresting to see how "special" his death bowling is during the WC...

Yes for sure it will be intersting...
But i think he will be very very good...Unless Razaaq is on fire...

[Sledger]

Problem with saving the last one is rhythm. He takes a while to come back now - a four over burst is fine. Wahab and Gul are very good death bowlers so Pakistan are lucky in that sense.

Plus, Shoaib might have played his last T20I for all we know.

[nsaviguru]

I am fascinated with the fascination of some posters with the Indian team. To analyze and debate every comment that is made about a Indian player or Indian team definitely takes a lot of commitment and dedication. So I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for your interest and dedication to the Indian cricket team. Keep up the great work guys. Cheers.

[Hazara]

Kinnay Kaya ?

I recommend you for NOBELL prize for this Discovery ?

[Sledger]

Excluding today's SA match, how many threads are there on the front page about India's team? Just this one I think.

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by nsaviguru So I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for your interest and dedication to the Indian cricket team. Keep up the great work guys. Cheers.

[jusarrived]

on the contrary hes quite poor & looks clueless in the slog overs ..even though Nehra got hammered today , hes much better bowler in the late overs . Zaheer has a good yorker , but haven't seen him use it very often for some reason .

[md_tariq]

as simple as this. Indian cannot be the best death bowler in the world full stop

[pakistani_sher]

joke of the century

[Rizie]

I laughed when I watching it

[sanakazmi]

Originally Posted by Sledger There were four ODIs before that. In T20s, he should probably bowl all 4 at the start.

Hmm. I had a feeling he enjoyed bowling with the old ball. So, would you say Wahab over Gul for Shoaib's opening partner in T20s (assuming there's no Amir or any other option)?

[Sledger]

Wahab on a flat wicket, Razzaq if the new ball is doing something.

Shoaib does enjoy bowling with the older ball but he's long in the tooth now. It takes time for him to get his pace up and he can no longer bowl as quickly coming off cold (one over burst after a lay off).

[Khabri420]

Jaheer bohat hi jabardast bowler hai.

[Looney]

Originally Posted by Khabri420 Jaheer bohat hi jabardast bowler hai.

Aap Jaheer ke shubh chintak hain ?

[sanakazmi]

Originally Posted by Sledger Wahab on a flat wicket, Razzaq if the new ball is doing something. Shoaib does enjoy bowling with the older ball but he's long in the tooth now. It takes time for him to get his pace up and he can no longer bowl as quickly coming off cold (one over burst after a lay off).

Oh, oops, I thought you were talking about Wahab, not Shoaib, to bowl 4 on a trot in T20s. Shoaib I absolutely agree about - that one over later on is usually wasted warming up.

[Wasim_Waqar]

Don't care about subcontinental conditions- if India bowl poorly as they have been in ODIs, they will not go all the way in this Cup- like aus in 92.