DURBAN, April 25: No Indian cricketer has travelled the distance Zaheer Khan has in the last two seasons. From a injury ridden 2006-07 to spearhead of the attack, it has a been a voyage of discovery. Zaheer was not a part of the Indian T20 team that won the world championship in South Africa but will have a huge role to play in the ensuing championship in England.

For a bowler who started reluctantly in the shortest format, he has found the going good in the ongoing IPL. "I enjoy this format as much as I enjoy Test cricket and one-dayers, I am not a reluctant T20 player any more," said Zaheer while talking to a section of the media here at Kingsmead.

Zaheer reckons this is the best phase of my career. "I have enjoyed a lot of success during this time. I have worked really hard on my bowling and I want to keep the rhythm going for as long as possible. I have started enjoying the responsibility of being the senior bowler in the side," said Zaheer.

From a career threatened by injuries, Zaheer’s time out of the national team was a struggle. It was a tough period and the Mumbai Indian seamer is happy to have put the past behind. From now it is a matter of keeping match fit.

Zaheer’s recent exploits have earned him comparisons with the legendary Wasim Akram. " I am flattered by the compliment. Along with these comparisons, there is a rise in expectations too. I just hope to keep going the way I have been doing in the last two years," Zaheer said.

Having shifted loyalties from Bangalore Royal Challengers to Mumbai Indians Zaheer sees the IPL as a good experience playing against his own team mates. "It’s fun. They will have problems facing me, and similarly I will have problems bowling to them because we know each other well."

Mumbai Indians are seen as the tournament favourites including by Chargers skipper Adam Gilchrist. Zaheer considers the balance in the team makes them the main contenders. "I think we have a very good chance. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya are the easily the most dangerous pair at the top. My partnership with Lasith Malinga will also be crucial and with Harbhajan Singh to follow, we have the attack in place to defend any total," concluded Zaheer.