Tahir still available for T20s
IMRAN TAHIR will retire from one-day international cricket after this year’s World Cup, but will still be available for the Proteas in the T20 format.
Tahir made the announcement following Sunday’s first ODI against Sri Lanka, ending days of speculation following his absence from the list of players who will receive a national contract from Cricket South Africa for the 2019-20 season. The soon to be 40-year-old Tahir has played 95 ODIs, and if all goes to plan, will play his 100th at the World Cup in England and Wales later this year.
“We had a mutual understanding – Cricket SA and myself – that going forward, I will finish at the World Cup,” Tahir said on Sunday. It is understood that a similar arrangement has been made with JP Duminy, who was also not amongst the contracted list of players named last week.
Both will be allowed to pursue options in T20 leagues around the world, but will also be required to avail themselves for Proteas selection in T20s, with an eye on playing in the World T20 which will be played in Australia in October next year.
“I believe I have a role to play for SA in T20s,” Tahir added.
Tahir’s retirement from ODIs at the World Cup, will bring his career in that format full circle for it was at the 2011 tournament that he made his debut, in SA’s opening match against the West Indies in Delhi. He went on to become a vital component of SA’s one-day plans, with his wicket-taking ability through the middle overs providing.
Tahir acknowledged that he hasn’t always been at his best this season, although he never felt out of form. “I did bowl a couple of bad balls in the previous series, but it’s not like I bowled five overs of bad balls. It can happen to any player, I’m a very positive guy, so when I do (bowl a bad ball) I just try and put it out of my mind,” said Tahir.
The leg-spinner, who has also played in 20 Tests and 37 T20 internationals for his adopted nation, said among other reasons for his retirement from ODIs was the strain it placed on his body and so that other spinners could get a chance. “If I’m playing T20 cricket, I feel I can give a lot,” he said.
“If you look at 50-over cricket there’s guys like (Tabraiz) Shamsi, (Aaron) Phangiso, Shaun von Berg, Dane Piedt... there are a lot of guys who need opportunity. I don’t want to lose my spot, I have to work twice and hard, they are younger than me, I just want to be honest, I don’t want to leave, but that’s how it is,” said Tahir.