Excited to play in the IPL since I’ve never played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Tabraiz Shamsi

South African cricketer Tabraiz Shamsi is all set to make his comeback in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. After plying his trade for the Royal Challengers Bangalore back in 2016, the left-arm wrist-spinner will play for the Rajasthan Royals in the second leg of IPL 2021.

In his debut season, he played four games before going out of contention. Shamsi sounded excited about taking part in the IPL since he doesn’t have experience of playing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Sharjah is another host for the cash-rich tournament.

The second leg is set to get underway on September 19 after the first leg in India had to be halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shamsi reckoned that the IPL stint would help him prepare for the subsequent T20 World Cup in the UAE to be played in October-November.

It will be nice if I can play on those pitches: Tabraiz Shamsi

“I’m not going to sit here and pretend that I’m not excited about (the IPL). I am very excited. Especially because I’ve never played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi,” Shamsi was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“The IPL is a different thing. I have played in the past but I was a lot younger and I didn’t get a lot of game time regularly. When you get regular game time, you can showcase what you can do. You can improve. And from a Proteas’ perspective, I’m really happy I got picked up in the IPL because I’ve never been there and played there.

“It will be nice if I can play on those pitches and get some inside information and gain some experience; just to be able to pick up some knowledge and information that might help us in the World Cup,” he added.

Shamsi is currently ICC’s No.1 ranked T20I bowler. He bowled brilliantly in the five-match series against the West Indies and followed it up with another decent spell against Ireland.

He also played for the Oval Invincibles in the inaugural edition of the Men’s Hundred. In six matches, the tweaker picked up seven wickets at a decent economy rate of 1.45.