Zaheer Khan awarded honorary life membership by MCC

London [England], Sep.2 (ANI): Former pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been awarded an honorary life membership by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), thus becoming the 24th Indian cricketer to receive the prestigious honour. Confirming the news, John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said that 37-year-old bowler had been a fantastic servant to cricket in India and, therefore, they felt extremely glad to make him an honorary life member. "Zaheer Khan was a fantastic servant to cricket in India and an integral part of their very successful side for many years. For this reason the Club is very pleased to award him with Honorary Life Membership," Stephenson told in a statement. "He was always great to watch when he played at Lord's and we look forward to having him back here as an MCC Member," he added. Zaheer, who notched up a total of 311 wickets at 32.94 runs apiece in 92 Test matches he played, became second former India international to be elected in recent weeks after Virender Sehwag, who was named an Honorary Life Member in August. Honorary Life Membership is awarded by the MCC Committee to individuals in recognition of the service they have given to the cricket and projects surrounding the game, often over a very long period. The former Indian pacer, who played three Tests at Lord's, narrowly missed out on a place on the `home of cricket` Honours Board when he scalped four for 79 in the drawn match against England in 2007. Zaheer, who retired from international and first class cricket last year, has also taken 282 wickets in his 200 ODI appearances. (ANI)