As Long As I Am Enjoying I Want To Play - Imran Tahir Eyes Place In South Africa Squad For T20 World Cup

Veteran spinner Imran Tahir is eyeing a return to South Africa‘s T20 squad, not just for this year’s T20 World Cup – which is slated for either India or UAE – but also for next year’s event in Australia as well.

The leg-spinner hasn’t featured in the green Protea jersey since taking his ODI retirement following the group stage exit from the 2019 World Cup in England.

Imran Tahir says that as long as there’s a fire burning inside him to continue playing, he will continue to keep playing whether it is for South Africa or in the other franchise leagues.

“So as long as I am enjoying it, I want to play if it is the upcoming World Cup or the next World Cup,” Imran Tahir said in an interview with Cricwick.

I was a member of South Africa’s squad for the World Cup last year, which didn’t happen: Imran Tahir

At the moment, the 42-year-old is participating in the Pakistan Super League 2021, taking place in Abu Dhabi. He represents the Multan Sultans which has now reached the final of the tournament to be held on June 24. Imran Tahir is in good form this season, having taken 10 wickets in six matches at an average of 13.70 and an economy of 6.52; he featured in the IPL 2021 as well for the Chennai Super Kings.

The leg-spinner revealed that he was in the Protea squad for the T20 World Cup which was supposed to be conducted last year, in Australia, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

“If I am playing in the PSL, I want to perform well. I haven’t retired as well. I was a member of South Africa’s squad for the World Cup last year, which didn’t happen because of COVID last year. So I was part of the squad which was to play in the World Cup. But now I’m trying to prove myself and perform in the PSL,” the leg-spinner revealed.

He was not selected for South Africa’s 5-match T20I series in the West Indies, neither was Faf du Plessis. The team is trying out new youngsters alongside Tabraiz Shamsi, the number one ICC T20I ranked bowler.

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