Happy birthday boy Zaheer Khan had scored enough marks in his Class 12 boards that got him a seat into Pravra engineering college, with that degree coveted in everyday Marathi families. But his astute father Bakhtiyar, from Shrirampur in Ahmednagar, reckoned India had millions of engineers, but not enough good fast bowlers and did not push him to continue beyond the first semester though elder brother Zeeshan went on to become an engineer. This was the start of one of India's finest left arm fast bowling talents, as Zaheer, who turns 47 on Tuesday, chose cricket over the clichéd, uncreative path of engineering. With his tall leap in the air and long run-up as well as success internationally, Zak as he is known to all, carved a brilliant career for India - a rare gem aside of Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar, Javagal Srinath, L Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma and now Bumrah, Siraj, Shami and Arshdeep. Not only did he become the first bowler for Worcestershire to take 10 wickets, he made bunnies out of some of greatest lefties like Graeme Smith, Matthew Hayden, Kumara Sangakarra and Sanath Jayasuriya. But first came his father's gentle wise nudge to follow his dream, and a keen eye, given Bakhtiyar was a photographer. HT quotes that the first year when Zak wanted to go to Mumbai his father was swamped by assignments to click marriages in peak wedding season. However in 1996, the former school teacher (as was mother Zakia) would keep his promise. He would shift to Commerce formally, but focus was cricket. "India has lots of engineers but there's a dearth of genuine fast bowlers," his father is quoted as having told Zak by Zee News. At 17, the father-son duo even travelled from Shrirampur to Mumbai to attend trials of MRF Pace foundation. He was noticed by TA Sekhar and Dennis Lillee and would soon play at the Marine Lines gymkhanas facing marine drive and chowpatty for National CC where Sudhir Naik becane his mentor. Claiming 7 wickets, he would get into the U19 side, but found Ranji spot only in Baroda before returning to Mumbai Srs as an India success. The swing king suffered sophomore blues in Tests but countered with developing a knuckle ball. His left arm angles and swing he generated with both old and new balls, made him a lethal bowler. Zak would cap his one day career with 21 wickets from 9 games for India's World Cup winning team in 2011 after debuting famously at Nairobi in 2000 October 25 years ago. Celebrating his birthday, Zee also recounted his dreamy love story with actor Sagarika Ghatge, hailing from the Indore royal family of Tukoji Holkar. The Mumbai based actor gained success for playing a focussed centre forward in Chak de! Zee Entertainment noted how Zaheer's family didn't know much about the entertainment industry. But once again, sport worked its magic. When Zaheer's family watched Chak de! and saw her feisty, progressive and independent character, they were completely impressed, Zee reported. When the families met, they were bowled over by how authentic and warm she was, Zee added. The couple welcomed their first son Fatehsinh Khan this year.
