Wasim Akram reckons Zaheer Khan is the best fast bowler in the world after mastering the art of reverse swing.

By Faisal Kamal

The Sultan of Swing has declared that India have now got a Prince of reverse swing. Speaking to Mobile ESPN after India walloped Australia by 320 runs in the Mohali Test on Tuesday, the former Pakistan captain said Zaheer has matured and is "the number one bowler in the world right now.."

Akram added: "Since the time I saw him bowl I knew Zaheer had tremendous potential. But after that, he has improved tremendously and has even learnt the art of reverse swing."

Zaheer ended with match figures of 4-127 in Mohali, but it was his three wickets on Tuesday morning that was instrumental in India racing to victory and taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

The most experienced man in the Indian pace attack has looked a man born again. Thirty years younger, Zaheer has charged in aggressively like never before, physically looked stronger and the fire in his eyes has rekindled.

Tuesday morning, Zaheer was like a man possessed. He got one to easily breach Brad Haddin's defence with sheer pace and movement. That opened the floodgates as Cameron White edged the next ball to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the wickets. Mitchell Johnson denied Zaheer a hattrick. But soon after, Brett Lee was at the wrong end of a Zaheer delivery that reverse swung.

"He hides the shiny side of the ball while running in to bowl, which reminds me of my playing days and for a moment I sometimes even forget that it's not me but Zaheer who is running in. Seeing Zaheer bowl in the Mohali Test brought back memories of my playing days," Akram said from Lahore.

After returning from a long injury lay-off in the Indian Premier League and then joining the national side in the Asia Cup, Zaheer has been consistently performing for the team.

The Baroda pacer was the Man of the Match in the first drawn Test in Bangalore, even contributing with the bat. Zaheer scored a defiant 80-run eighth wicket stand with Harbhajan Singh to remain unbeaten on 57 in the1st innings and picked up 6-137 in the match.

The performance hasn't gone unnoticed. Akram said: "Whether it is his wicket-taking abilities or his consistency, he is the best on any count. His batting is also improving, his good bowling is translating in to a better batting performance as well and in turn India is getting benefited."

With a stylish leap, lion-hearted agro and a manly charm, Zaheer is surely the latest heartthrob. Himself a poster boy during his playing days, Akram says Zaheer is a good example to follow.

"He is the role model not only in India but also in Pakistan and in the Asian sub-continent. I think he is only going to get better from here, he is learnt reverse swing and he can only pass on this art to the younger generation."