South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has said that he has stayed fit and is available for selection for this year’s T20 World Cup that will be held in Australia. Tahir is currently playing for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The 42-year-old was ignored for the last year's T20 World Cup in the UAE where the Proteas crashed out of the group stage.
Tahir's words
“I am still available for selection in T20Is. I believe I am fit enough to play in the T20 World Cup. I hope that selectors will consider my performances around the world. If they do, I am sure they’ll find me a deserving candidate," Tahir was quoted while talking to Geo News.
“It is a strange feeling that I am an overseas player for Pakistan where I was born and even played my initial cricket, but I am also thankful to South Africa that they gave me a chance to reach my dreams and prove myself in international cricket," Tahir added.
Playing for Multan Sultans, he picked up three wickets in four overs against Karachi Kings and he was also rewarded with Man of the Match award.
“We are off to a good start. It is all because of the collective hard work of the team. I hope we continue with this streak in the tournament. This unity as a team is the key to success. When you work hard as a team and give your best, you surely get success."
Facts and numbers
Imran Tahir has played in 20 Tests, 107 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for the Proteas side. He has scalped 57 wickets in the longest format of the game, Tahir dismissed 173 batters in the ODI format.
In T20I cricket, the right arm leg spinner has taken 63 wickets at an average of just 15.05. He has picked up a total of 7 five-wicket hauls in his international career.
The leg-spinner decided to bid adieu to international cricket after the conclusion of the World Cup 2019 where South Africa had a disastrous campaign and even though he continues to play franchise cricket across the globe, the veteran spinner has said that he still has got enough firepower in him to represent the Proteas in this year’s T20 World Cup.
