I had a big opportunity to bowl with freedom: Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir’s record-breaking bowling performance helped South Africa come back hard from the defeat at the hands of Australia and dismantle hosts, West Indies, by a massive 139-run margin in their preliminary encounter at Warner Park, St. Kitts. Courtesy to his bowling masterclass, the Proteas are now back into contention in the ongoing Tri-nation series, sitting at the top of the points table with 10 points from four matches.

The South Africans posted 335 for West Indies to chase with the help of solid century from Hashim Amla and half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis. In reply, West Indies were stunned by Tahir’s 7/45, the third best bowling figures by any spinner in One Day Internationals (ODIs), as they crashed to 208 all-out.

The series now moves across to Barbados, with all the three teams still in contention for a place in the final. Speaking to the press after his record-breaking feat, a chuffed Tahir thanked his family, friends and Cricket South Africa (CSA) for all the support shown to him.

“I am feeling very proud, to be honest. I didn’t know that (about becoming the first South African bowler to take a seven-wicket haul), but I will take them any day. Thanks a lot to Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the beautiful people back home for their support and my family as well,” the leg-spinner said.

Tahir’s figures were the ninth best for any bowler in ODIs and the leggie also completed 100 ODI wickets during the course of his haul, thereby becoming the fourth fastest overall and the quickest amongst the South Africans, to reach the landmark.

Talking about his bowling, Tahir credited his batsmen for a wonderful job, which he said, allowed the bowlers to bowl with plenty of freedom.

“I have never done it before (taking seven wickets), probably, might have done it in first-class cricket. Look, every wicket is special for me, especially in the international arena. Like I said, I am quite pleased, I had a big opportunity to bowl with freedom. The boys (batsmen) put up a decent total on the board, especially on a track like this, so credit goes to them. They put us in a position which lets the bowler do whatever they want to do. We bowled an attacking line and things went well for us,” he said.

Unlike Guyana, where the ball turned a lot, Tahir reckoned that the Warner Park surface was a tougher place to bowl, particularly, with the short boundaries on offer. “There was a lot more turn on offer in Guyana, but we need to adjust to different conditions, we do work hard at the nets and look to deliver under different conditions. The main things is to deliver in the actual game. When it comes out well, as it did today, it’s very pleasing, you feel good about yourself, feels like all the hard work got rewarded,” the 37-year old said, in a beaming tone.

Complimenting the opposition, Tahir reckoned that it was one such day when everything went according to plan for him and his team.

“We know that they (West Indies batsmen) are attacking players, that also means they give us chances, which is exactly what I look forward to. I have watched a lot of their videos, tried to visualise myself and look to bowl in good areas. I have played a few times against West Indies, on their day, they can chase down anything, but it’s always a good challenge to bowl to them,” the leg-spinner reasoned.

Talking about his approach to the modern game, Tahir emphasized on the need to learn from past failures.

“It’s a challenge for the spinner, especially in modern day’s cricket. We have just four (five in the final powerplay) fielders in the circle, for me, it’s a process. The technology has developed a lot and we can analyse our opposition better. Just try to learn from our mistakes. On a positive note it’s good as well, it helps you perfect your art,” he signed off.

The series now moves across to the Kensington Oval for the last three matches of the league phase with South Africa facing Australia in the seventh match, on Sunday (June 19).