Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming has picked his top-five all-time left-arm pacers. Fleming picked former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan at fifth place, highlighting the left-armer’s ability to get reverse swing and said the latter had an impressive overseas record.

Khan scalped 311 wickets in 92 Test matches at an average of 32.95. The former Indian fast bowler bagged 282 scalps in 200 ODI matches at an average of 29.44. He also picked 17 wickets in as many T20I matches.

Damien Fleming said on the Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube Channel, “Number five, I am going with the ‘Z man’ Zaheer Khan,” Fleming said. “What got him over the line was his record. He is very solid in Australia, England, and I think South Africa, whereas a lot of other guys sort of had a couple of poor ones there. His record was better away than at home.”

Fleming highlighted Khan’s ability to get the old ball to reverse swing.

“I think he, besides [Wasim] Akram, bowled reverse swing better than anyone in this list. We got to see a bit of it in Australia. So Zed man, well done there,” he added.

The former Aussie pacer picked compatriots Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Alan Davidson as the fourth, third and second picks, respectively in the list. Fleming backed Wasim Akram as the best left-arm pacer, stating that the former Pakistan captain had all the skills in his arsenal.

“What he couldn’t do, boys?” Fleming said while speaking about Akram. “Genuine pace, swung the ball both ways with new ball, old ball. I am going No. 1 for Wasim Akram just because he had every skill,” Fleming added.

Akram scalped 404 wickets in 104 Test matches, whereas he bagged 502 scalps in 356 ODI matches.