Sledge sparked Khan's anger

[amit467]

INDIA fast bowler Zaheer Khan has turned a verbal blow torch on Australia because he has never forgotten being sledged after the most embarrassing performance of his career. Zaheer was never renowned for verballing big-name opponents until he stepped out in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia in Johannesburg. He decided to let fly verbally against all batsmen he bowled to that day but his outbursts seemed to unsettle himself more than his opponents and he returned the sorrowful figures of 0-67 from just seven overs. During the course of the match one Australian player said to Zaheer: "Well, Zed . . . there'll be some houses burnt down in India tonight and the way you've bowled, yours could be the first." Though the taunt was meant to be semi-humorous, a crestfallen Zaheer never saw it that way, particularly as his mood was already bleak at not even being asked to bowl his full quota of overs. Australia produced a superb batting display to amass 2-359, then bowled India out for 234 for their second cup win, leaving Zaheer to rue initiating a verbal battle which he started but Australia finished. Since that day there has been a robust, at times bitter rivalry between Zaheer and the Australians, with the Indian deciding to open fire publicly after his excellent first Test double of 6-137 and 57. Before the Test he described Australian captain Ricky Ponting as a man under pressure and after it said Ponting's men were the most defensive Australian outfit he had seen. He also exchanged words with several Australian players during the Test. "They know they can't take 20 wickets and they are on the back foot," Zaheer said. "They couldn't get me or Bhajji (half-centurymaker Harbhajan Singh) out. So we are in with a big chance." Zaheer now gets the chance to inflict more pain on the Australians when the second Test starts in Mohali on what is expected to be a pace-friendly wicket - at least for the first couple of sessions.

[Shehezaada]

that's a disgusting thing to say. Hope Zaheer rips them a new one at mohali, go Zaheer!

[Dinx - the Jinx]

with the way ponting had played in india before this series started, he must have had atleast 9 of his houses burnt...

[Fontaine]

During the course of the match one Australian player said to Zaheer: "Well, Zed . . . there'll be some houses burnt down in India tonight and the way you've bowled, yours could be the first."

Zaheer should have replied back: "Well at least those houses won't be broken into and robbed. You see, we're not a colony of criminals!"

[vroomfondel]

359/2. I don't think anything else needs to be said

[retterimp]

everyone goes through bad patches and zaheer had one. but now we can forget it. zaheer is no sreesanth. he can sledge all he wants cause now he's performing!!