Veteran South African cricket team leg-spinner Imran Tahir has opined that he has the fitness levels to participate in the 2022 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup which will happen in Australia. Tahir is one of the best leg-spin bowlers in the world right now. He has made a name for himself with his excellent performances in a majority of the T20 leagues.
However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) did not pick him in the team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 which happened in the Middle East. In his absence, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Aiden Markram have shouldered the spin-bowling responsibilities. A veteran like Tahir can be an excellent addition to the South African squad.
Currently, Tahir is playing for the Multan Sultans team in the 2022 edition of the Pakistan Super League. He started the tournament with a bang as he took three wickets in the tournament’s first match against the Karachi Kings.
I’m available for selection in T20Is: Imran Tahir
In an interview with Geo News, Imran Tahir spoke at length about his cricketing career. He clarified that even though he played for World Giants in the Legends League Cricket 2022, he is not yet retired.
“I am still available for selection in T20Is. I believe I am fit enough to play in the T20 World Cup [in Australia]. I hope that selectors will consider my performances around the world. If they do, I am sure they’ll find me a deserving candidate,” said Tahir.
It will be interesting to see if Tahir gets a chance to don the South African jersey again. He has not played a single international match for the South African cricket team since the year 2019. He can form a match-winning combination with the likes of Markram, Shamsi and Maharaj. The T20 World Cup is still a few months away.
If Imran performs well in the Pakistan Super League and the upcoming Indian Premier League, the chances of him earning a place in the South African squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 will increase. The South African cricket team will then start as one of the top favorites to win the tournament.
