Imran Tahir to retire from ODI cricket after World Cup

South Africa

Cricket365
March 4, 2019

Imran Tahir has announced that he will retire from international one-day cricket after the 2019 Cricket World Cup in the summer.

The South African leg-spinner got figures of 3/26 as the Proteas conjured up an eight-wicket ODI win against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Despite that, Tahir wants to give younger spinners an opportunity in the South Africa set-up in the 50-over format – but still intends to carry on playing at international level for T20 matches.

“I have always wanted to play in the World Cup,” Tahir said.

“It would be a great achievement for me to play for this great team. I have a mutual understanding with Cricket South Africa and going forward I decided that I would finish at the World Cup, that is why I am contracted until then.

“After that, Cricket South Africa has allowed me to go and play around the world in various leagues but I would also love to play T20 cricket for South Africa. I think I have the ability and can play a role in T20 cricket for South Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity.

“I would love to play for as long as I can.

“But there is a stage in your life where you have to make big decisions, this is one of those big decisions, it is definitely the biggest decision of my life. I also feel there are a couple of good spinners in the country who need the opportunity. We are fighting for the same spot, but looking to the future, they will have more opportunities to play for South Africa.”