Date:16/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/16/stories/2004031601362300.htm

Sport - Cricket

Proud to be Indian: Zaheer

Rawalpindi: Indian seamer Zaheer Khan has come out in defence of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray saying the Shiv Sena supremo was not against the Muslims in India.

Asked about he being a muslim, the Indian pacer, who lives in Mumbai but plays for Baroda, said: "I am Indian first. I am proud to be an Indian.''

``I am here in the team because of my performance, my showing and not because of my religion. For me, India comes first,'' he told.

The Indian seamer was lavish in his praise for the Pakistani hospitality. "It is overwhelming,'' he said. He compared Islamabad's weather to that of Shimla and Karachi was like Mumbai, he added.

``My teammates are very impressed by the love and affection shown by the people of Pakistan towards them,'' he added.