Zaheer Khan: Let's celebrate his birthday with these deliveries from a 'magical wrist'

Known as one of the efficient bowlers of Indian side, Zaheer Khan aka Zak is celebrating his 39th birthday today.

Zaheer has been a crucial ingredient in the success of Indian cricket in 2000s.

In early 2000s, the left-armer with his in-swing capabilities proved himself to be a nightmare for many reputed left-handed batsmen.

India has always been blessed with batsmen and spinners galore, but the one thing needed to succeed around the world that the team lacked for a long, long time was a genuinely brilliant fast bowler.

And Zak filled that bridge by his bowling skills.

The 37-year-old veteran, who has played 92 Test matches, 200 ODIs and 17 T20 Internationals, has been in and out of the team in the last three to four years due to recurring injuries which a took a toll on his body.

In 92 Test matches, Khan has taken 311 wickets and is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the longer version amongst Indians, after Anil Kumble (619), Kapil Dev (434) and Harbhajan Singh (417). He played a major role in India's 2011 ICC World Cup triumph, taking 21 wickets in the tournament.

In his 200 One-Day appearances, the left-armer bagged 282 scalps at an average of 29.43 and an economy rate of 4.93, including one five-wicket haul and seven four-wicket spells. Khan took 17 wickets in T20s, with a four-wicket haul his best performance in the shortest format.

Let's have a look at some of his magical deliveries that stunned the batsmen: