South Africa's Imran Tahir wants to play cricket as long as possible

Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir has quashed all the rumours about his retirement during a media session on Tuesday. The 39-year-old insists that he has a lot left in the tank and wants to play cricket as long as possible. Tahir has made a comeback into the South African ODI side in the ongoing series against Zimbabwe.

The veteran player last played an ODI in February before the first ODI against Zimbabwe. In this encounter, he returned with impressive figures of 2/23 in five overs. Earlier, he was rested for the Sri Lanka tour to give the selectors an opportunity to explore the other options. However, Tahir said that he would rather prefer playing than being rested.

Imran Tahir wants to call it a day if South Africa wins the World Cup

“I have been playing cricket so I haven’t been on a break. I played in England and the Caribbean, I have been playing the game which is very good for me,” Tahir told while speaking to the reporters. He has featured both in the T20 Blast and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) during his off-time.

“I would rather be playing than having a rest, which is why I am happy to come back and put the Proteas shirt on, it is an absolute privilege. I am looking forward to every match of this series,” he further added. Also, speaking about his retirement plans, he said it was too early to make a statement. However, he said that he would call it a day if South Africa wins the World Cup next year.

“It is a bit early for me to say anything,” he said of his retirement. “I am loving the game at the moment, but I will admit that if we win the World Cup I will probably call it.”

Further, he said that he doesn’t want to overstay in the team and wants to leave with respect and dignity. “It’s too early to say but at the moment I am enjoying every opportunity that I get to play for South Africa. I am trying to go as long as I can, I want to make sure I enjoy my game and I give what the team requires from me. I also don’t want to overstay in the team, I want to leave with respect.”

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