Proteas release Tahir for final two T20Is against Zimbabwe

The Proteas have released spinner Imran Tahir from their squad for the remaining two T20Is against Zimbabwe later this week.

The 39-year-old Tahir was named man-of-the-series in the preceding ODI series after he took 10 wickets in three matches.

The leg-spinner was at his devastating best in the shortest format in East London on Tuesday as he took career-best figures of 5/23 from his four overs to help the Proteas to a 34-run victory.

With the final couple of games to be played on the highveld (in Potchefstroom on Tuesday and Benoni on Sunday) the hosts feel they won’t need to play two slow-bowlers in those conditions.

Tahir remains the first-choice spinner for next year’s World Cup in England, but the selectors have seen enough over the past few weeks and can now look to give others a run.

Tabraiz Shamsi, who was expensive on Tuesday with figures of 0-43 in four overs, will now be the only specialist spinner in the squad.

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