Imran Tahir Withdraws From BBL Citing Personal Reasons

South Africa leg-spinner, Imran Tahir has pulled out from the ongoing Big Bash League 2020-21 season due to personal reasons. Melbourne Renegades coach Michael Klinger confirmed the news. The Renegades signed Tahir in October to bolster their spin department which includes Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and Pakistan’s Imad Wasim.

Tahir was expected to arrive in Australia to undergo a 14-day quarantine period before he could participate in the BBL. Tahir’s news comes as a big blow to the Renegades as Aaron Finch’s team has suffered three big losses – by 129 runs, 6 wickets, and 145 runs – after winning their opening match. They are currently placed at the 7th position on the points table.

Imran Tahir is a great player: Michael Klinger

Renegades’ head coach, Michael Klinger said that they are unfortunate to miss the services of the legendary leg-spinner. However, Klinger opines that at the same time is an opportunity for young Afghanistan spinner, Noor Ahmad. Renegades will also lose Mohammad Nabi who will leave for national duties with the Afghanistan team.

in the IPL 2020, the 41-year-old was selected in only 3 matches for Chennai Super Kings in which he could manage to take only a solitary wicket. The leggie has also not played for more than a year for the Proteas and would be soon eyeing a comeback in the T20 side because of the upcoming T20 World Cup next year.

“Unfortunately, Imran is not coming for personal reasons. He’s a great player so it is a loss. But at the same time we’ve seen Noor Ahmad a couple of games ago, a bowler who people haven’t seen that much, it might actually work in our favor. He’ll now be able to play a fair chunk of that back end of the season, with Imad Wasim. Nabi has to go home for international duty. It is a loss but at the same time what a huge opportunity for young Noor to come in and have a huge impact on the BBL,” Klinger said.

“The mood is still pretty good because we know what we’re capable of doing. We saw in game one how well we played. We know we’ve got the ability in the group to really come out and perform well,” he added.

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