Surrey Rope in Veteran Leg-Spinner Imran Tahir For the Vitality Blast

After a successful stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL), veteran South African spinner Imran Tahir will now ply his trade in the Vitality T20 Blast. Tahir will feature for Surrey, the club confirmed on Tuesday (May 14). The leg-spinners signing fills the county’s second overseas spot after Australia’s Aaron Finch.

Tahir to play for Surrey

Meanwhile, South Africa have included Imran Tahir for the upcoming ICC World Cup starting from May 30. This is will Tahir’s last international commitment in the fifty overs format. The leg-spinner will join Surrey after the marquee event. The 40-year-old will be available for the whole tournament starting from July 19 against Essex. The group stage contains 14 games; however, there are speculations over his availability if Surrey progress to the knockout stage.

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Imran Tahir, who has a lot of passion for the game admitted that he is always on the search for new challenges and opportunities. He also revealed it was an easy decision for him and he is looking forward to winning another trophy in the upcoming summer. Alec Stewart, the director of Surrey cricket personally wanted Imran Tahir in the squad for the upcoming tournament.

“I’m always looking for new and exciting opportunities. That’s how I see the chance to play with one of the most talented playing groups in county cricket. When I heard Alec Stewart had asked after me, it was an easy decision. Surrey are a massive club and it will be great if I can contribute to helping them win another trophy this summer at the Kia Oval,” Tahir said.

Meanwhile, Imran Tahir was in stunning form in the recently concluded IPL. He finished with 26 wickets from 17 games to win the Purple Cap for the highest wicket-taker of the season. He leapfrogged his countrymen Kagiso Rabada when he returned with two wickets in the final. However, Chennai Super Kings failed to defend their title as they went down to Mumbai Indians by one run to give them their fourth title at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.