Veteran spin bowler’s crowd-pleasing turn can’t save the Proteas
Imran Tahir started off being mocked and jeered. When he was done, he received a standing ovation.
In between, he achieved the most wickets for South Africa in Cricket World Cup history.
Lord’s isn’t known as a spinner’s ground but Tahir conjured enough turn and guile to dismiss Pakistan opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq yesterday.
In doing so, he overtook the record of 38 by fast bowler Allan Donald, who retired after the 2003 World Cup. The wickets were in vain, though, as South Africa chased a target of 309 and lost to Pakistan by 49 runs and confirmed they will miss the semifinals with two matches left.
But the South Africans could take some comfort from another memorable performance by Tahir, the oldest man in the tournament at 40.
“I thought it was going to be tough but the pitch did stop a bit,” he said. “I am pleased I did the job for my team and my country. They had a good start so I wanted to get a wicket. I am pleased I got one in my first over. My consistency was there so that was a good thing.”
It didn’t start well. In the 12th over, he appeared to take a grass-high catch on the boundary to break the opening partnership. He set off on one of his trademark celebratory sprints around the field, arms out like he’s flying. But the umpires ruled the ball bounced into Tahir’s hands, and it was confirmed on video review. When Tahir returned to the midwicket boundary, fans of Pakistan, the country of his birth, mocked him and laughed at his non-catch.
Tahir had the next laugh, though.
He got Fakhar to lob a simple catch to first slip in the 15th over, then dismissed Imam in the 21st with a fantastic reaction one-handed catch low to his right. The feisty Tahir took that opportunity to blow kisses to the heavily pro-Pakistan crowd.
“I am not known for my caught and bowled,” he said. “The coaching guys are on my back all the time saying it is not good enough. After today’s catch, I can go and have a word with them.”
He should have had a third wicket but Mohammad Hafeez’s thick edge behind was dropped. Hafeez rubbed it in when he became the first batsman at this World Cup to hit Tahir for a six. It had taken Tahir 317 deliveries to concede one. He didn’t concede another, as Pakistan gave him careful regard and were glad to see the back of him after the 41st over.
His shift complete, Tahir received a couple of congratulatory hugs from teammates. Then as he walked back to his boundary position, Pakistan fans stood to applaud his team-best figures of 10-0-41-2. Tahir waved as the applause was sustained.
South Africa haven’t had a memorable tournament but Tahir has. He started his third and last World Cup — he’s retiring from one-day internationals when the tournament is
Short scoreboard
(Imam ul-Haq 44, Fakhar Zaman 44, Babar Azam 69, Haris Sohail 89, Imas Wasim 23; Ngidi 3-64, Tahir 2-41) defeated
(Quinton de Kock 47, Faf du Plessis 63, Rassie van der Dussen 36, David Miller 31, Andile Phehlukwayo 46; Amir 2-49, Riaz 3-46, Khan 3-50) by 49 runs.
over — by bowling the very first delivery and becoming the first spinner to do so. The second ball got England’s Jonny Bairstow out for a golden duck.
He played his 100th ODI against Bangladesh, was man of the match in the sole win against Afghanistan, and has taken 10 wickets, one of only seven bowlers in this tournament, and leads South Africa.
He’s going out in style.