11 Facts about Imran Tahir: The wily South African leg-spinner

The cricketing career of South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been nothing short of nomadic. Having to travel time and again to ply his trade, in countries completely strange to him must have been borderline traumatic. However, the 36-year old has landed quite well in the green and gold of South Africa. At the ripe old age of 36, Tahir is perhaps the most important part of the South African cricket team. It is also widely believed that bowling varieties speak volumes of the personality of a bowler.

1. Birth:

Mohammad Imran Tahir was born on the 27^th of May 1979 at Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan.

2. A journeyman cricketer:

As mentioned earlier, the trajectory of Imran Tahir’s cricketing career is borderline nomadic. He first played for the Pakistan U19 team and also donned Pakistan green in the 1998 U19 World Cup. He then moved to England county cricket before settling for South African side, the Highveld Lions.

3. U19 cricket career:

Imran Tahir represented Pakistan in the 1998 edition of the U19 World Cup. Shoaib Malik and Saeed Anwar were also part of the side. Despite a perfect record in the group stages, the Pakistanis failed to win a single match in the knockouts. Ironically, the team Tahir would represent in the future, South Africa would go on to win the tournament.

4. A late blossomer:

Imran Tahir is considered by most to be a late blossomer. He made his international debut for his adoptive home – South Africa in the 2011 World Cup against West Indies. He was aged 32, making him one of the oldest debutants for the Proteas.

5. Country Roads:

Imran Tahir has played for perhaps the most number of domestic teams in the world. The teams he has played for include South Africa, Delhi Daredevils, Dolphins, Durham 2nd XI, Easterns, Hampshire, Hampshire 2nd XI, Lahore City, Lahore Lions, Lahore Ravi, Lahore Whites, Lions, Middlesex, Middlesex 2nd XI, Nottinghamshire, Pakistan A, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Under-19s, Redco Pakistan Ltd, Sialkot, South Africa A, Staffordshire, Sui Gas Corporation of Pakistan, Sussex 2nd XI, Titans, Warwickshire, Warwickshire 2nd XI, Water and Power Development Authority and Yorkshire.

6. The legspin theory:

Imran Tahir is an old-fashioned leg spinner. He has only two variations in his kitty, which include a genuine leg spinning delivery and an off-break googly. The latter delivery is said to bamboozle the batsmen and Tahir has credited most of his success to the googly.

7. Victory Laps:

Imran Tahir’s celebrations after taking a wicket are something all spectators, fans and pundits love to see. After claiming a wicket, Tahir can be seen running around the wicket like a madman, being chased by his teammates. He has also said on a particular occasion that – “If I claim a hat-trick, I would probably run into the stands.”

8. Rattling the calypso rhythm:

Imran Tahir shot to fame following a hugely successful ODI debut. He debuted in the biggest stage of them all – the 2011 World Cup. Devon Smith, Devon Thomas, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were his scalps on the day as Tahir concluded with figures of 4/41. He and AB de Villiers well and truly rattled the calypso rhythm as the Proteas secured a 7-wicket win.

9. Top of the Proteas tree:

Imran Tahir has taken the most wickets by a leg spinner for South Africa in ODI cricket, passing Paul Adams. Paul Adams managed 29 wickets in 24 matches in his career and Tahir passed that record in 15 matches and currently took 70 wickets.

10. A revelation in green:

Loyalty is perhaps something missing in the mammoth inventory of Imran Tahir. While he has donned the dark green of Pakistan, he has been successful only in the green and perhaps even the gold of South Africa. His amazing numbers enumerate a distinct story.

11. The Adelaide fizzle:

Not long after receiving the prestigious South Africa Test match cap, Tahir was set to receive his baptism of fire. It was down-under at Adelaide where Tahir was introduced to the unforgiving world of Test cricket. Tahir went wicket-less the entire match and conceded 280 runs. These became the worst figures in Test match history.