Imran Tahir to retire from ODIs post World Cup 2019
South African leg-spinner, Imran Tahir announced on Monday that he would be retiring from the 50-over format of the game, with the ICC World Cup 2019 being his last venture. The Proteas, who have never won the World Cup, would now be wondering if they can clinch the title for the first time to give Tahir the perfect send-off. Here's more about his career.
The Qalandar from Lahore
Born in Lahore, Tahir is a Pakistan-born cricketer. He is a leg-spinner who is known for his googlies. Although Tahir played domestic cricket for Pakistan, he never made it to the national side. He had a short stint in England, where he played for Middlesex and Yorkshire. In 2007, he moved to South Africa, where he played for Titans, before eventually settling down.
It would an achievement to play World Cup: Tahir
On his plans, Tahir said, "It would be a great achievement for me to play (in the World Cup) for this great team. I have a mutual understanding with Cricket South Africa and going forward I decided that I would finish at the World Cup."
Phenomenal stats in ODIs
Tahir has enjoyed a phenomenal run in the ODIs so far. He has played 95 matches and claimed 156 wickets at an average of 24.56 and an economy of 4.65. His best performance (7/45) came in 2016 against the Windies, while he has six four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls. Tahir was also the second highest wicket-taker, for South Africa, in World Cup 2011.
The man with records
Tahir is surrounded by a number of records, as in October 2018, he became the oldest man to claim a hat-trick in ODIs. He also became the first bowler from South Africa to claim more than six wickets, twice, in an ODI. He also delivered the most economical spell by a South African in an ODI, with the figures of 2/14.
Who could replace him in the ODIs?
South Africa always had a dearth of quality spinners and the side still lags behind in the department, barring Tahir. As for now, Tabraiz Shamsi looks to be the ideal fit in the squad to replace him, and being a chinaman, he has a good chance of making an impact, especially in the World Cup. Apart from Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj could be the other.
