Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has been named as the Cricket World® Player Of The Week after his five-wicket haul in the opening Test against Australia in Mohali.
Left-armer Zaheer returned five for 94 as India bowled Australia out for 428 after the tourists had won the toss and chosen to bat first.
Zaheer called on all his experience, skill and guile, bowling with the new and old ball to bowl his side into a strong position. He struck early to have Simon Katich trapped in front, going on to dismiss Michael Hussey with the same method of dismissal and then bowled Marcus North.
He completed his five-for by having Tim Paine caught by VVS Laxman and Mitchell Johnson caught by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his analysis of five for 94 came from 30 overs, seven of which were maidens.
His efforts were all the more impressive as an injury sidelined fellow fast bowler Ishant Sharma for much of the innings, leaving Khan to perform the pace bowling duties on his own.
Other contenders for the weekly award included Zaheer's team-mates Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina, Australia's Shane Watson and Johnson, Zimbabwe's Ed Rainsford, Ireland's Kevin O'Brien, and Afghanistan's Nawroz Mangal and Hamid Hassan.
© Cricket World 2010
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