Imran Tahir To Retire From ODI Format After ICC World Cup 2019

The Pakistan-born South African cricketer Imran Tahir set to hand his boots from One-Day format of the game after the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2019.  However, the Proteas star spinner will continue his services in the shortest format of the game. The announcement came after his brilliant show against Sri Lanka in the first ODI.

So far, Imran Tahir has played 95 ODI games for South Africa. If everything goes good, he is likely to finish with 100+ ODI games in his basket. The right-handed spinner is currently 39-aged and will soon turn 40-year old on coming March 27th.

I will finish at the ICC World Cup 2019 – Imran Tahir

The veteran leg-spinner quoted that he would like to call it quits on the ODI format following South Africa’s campaign in ICC World Cup 2019. He revealed that there was a mutual understanding between him and the respective board regarding the same.

In between, Imran Tahir believes that he still got the goods to deliver in T20I format. He feels that the team needs him in the shortest version of the game.

“We had a mutual understanding – Cricket SA and myself – that going forward, I will finish at the World Cup.  I believe I have a role to play for SA in T20s,” Tahir said on Sunday to the reporters as per Business Standard.

There are youngsters who need opportunity:

The flamboyant cricketer furtherly quoted that there are quite a few youngsters, who are waiting for their chances. He feels that his exit from the team will open gates for the youngsters in the 50-over format. However, Imran Tahir believes that he can still deliver the goods in the shortest version of the game.

“If I’m playing T20 cricket, I feel I can give a lot. If you look at 50 over cricket there’s guys like (Tabraiz) Shamsi, (Aaron) Phangiso, Shaun von Berg, Dane Piedt… there are a lot of guys who need opportunity. I don’t want to lose my spot. I have to work twice as hard, they are younger than me. I just want to be honest, I don’t want to leave, but that’s how it is,” said Tahir.

So, the upcoming edition of ICC World Cup set to see yet another legendary player leaving the ODI format of the game. The 2019 World Cup in England and Wales will be Tahir’s third appearance in the showpiece 50-over event.

So far, he has represented South Africa in 95 ODIs, taking 156 wickets at an average of 24.56. Tahir also has 37 T20I and 20 Test appearances, claiming 62 and 57 wickets respectively.