Pakistan-born Tahir added to S. African squad
Source: Agencies |
January 12, 2011, Wednesday
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IMRAN Tahir's hopes of playing for South Africa at the World Cup were boosted on Monday when the Pakistan-born legspinner was added to a provisional squad for next month's tournament.
Cricket South Africa said the 31-year-old Tahir, a former Pakistan "A" international, has replaced batsman Jonathan Vandiar in its 30-man preliminary squad for the February 19-April 2 event in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where spin bowling on slow, turning wickets is likely to be crucial to teams' hopes.
CSA said Vandiar had withdrawn "gracefully" from the 30-man squad to allow Tahir, an impressive performer in domestic cricket this season, to take his place.
"We feel that we need to widen our bowling options," said CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson. "I have discussed the matter with Jonathan and I would like to express my gratitude to him ... He knows he is very much part of our plans going forward."
Tahir was granted South African citizenship last month and is now eligible to play for his new country through naturalization after meeting criteria from the International Cricket Council and South African government.
He is expected to offer much-needed spin variation to South Africa's fast bowler-dominated attack.
"It (spin bowling) is the trend on the subcontinent, but not in South Africa," Tahir said after training with the one-day team for the first time. "I want to bring that trend back to South Africa. I've just worked hard and been taking wickets.
"It's every cricketer's dream to be at the World Cup, so my hard work has paid off."
Tahir had been picked in South Africa's test squad in January 2010, only for CSA to withdraw him after it was discovered he was not yet eligible.
Cricket South Africa said the 31-year-old Tahir, a former Pakistan "A" international, has replaced batsman Jonathan Vandiar in its 30-man preliminary squad for the February 19-April 2 event in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where spin bowling on slow, turning wickets is likely to be crucial to teams' hopes.
CSA said Vandiar had withdrawn "gracefully" from the 30-man squad to allow Tahir, an impressive performer in domestic cricket this season, to take his place.
"We feel that we need to widen our bowling options," said CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson. "I have discussed the matter with Jonathan and I would like to express my gratitude to him ... He knows he is very much part of our plans going forward."
Tahir was granted South African citizenship last month and is now eligible to play for his new country through naturalization after meeting criteria from the International Cricket Council and South African government.
He is expected to offer much-needed spin variation to South Africa's fast bowler-dominated attack.
"It (spin bowling) is the trend on the subcontinent, but not in South Africa," Tahir said after training with the one-day team for the first time. "I want to bring that trend back to South Africa. I've just worked hard and been taking wickets.
"It's every cricketer's dream to be at the World Cup, so my hard work has paid off."
Tahir had been picked in South Africa's test squad in January 2010, only for CSA to withdraw him after it was discovered he was not yet eligible.
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