http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir included in South Africa’s preliminary World Cup 2011 squad
Pakistan born player, Imran Tahir, is one step closer to the World Cup berth as he has been included in the preliminary World Cup 2011 squad of South Africa.
Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jonathan-Vandiar-c1730 withdrew from the 30 man preliminary squad.
Andrew Hudson, the CSA selection convener stated that Vandiar had “gracefully” withdrawn from the 30 man squad so as to give way to Tahir.
“I have discussed the matter with Jonathan and I would like to express my gratitude to him, he knows he is very much part of our plans going forward”, Hudson stated.
Tahir was granted the national citizenship by naturalization of South Africa on 31 December, 2010. He was recently included in the One day squad of the Proteas against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in a five match 50 overs series that is scheduled to begin next week in Durban.
However, the 31 year old leg-spinner who plays for Durban based domestic team the Dolphins recently celebrated his good luck as he took 12 wickets against his former team the Titans. He now has bagged a total of 42 wickets in just five matches of the SuperSport
Series and is currently leading the clan of highest wicket-takers as he has 13 more wickets than the second highest wicket-taker in the series.
He has always been amongst the few select players that the CSA selectors were keen on including the final squad. He was picked up earlier for the Test squad against India, however, the CSA had to withdraw due to his eligibility over his nationality.
It was highly speculated that Tahir will be a key contender for a spot in the Proteas squad as soon as he was confirmed as a South African national.
Due to his natural ability to bowl well in contrasting conditions, he will be the key player for 2011 World Cup that is scheduled to begin from 19th February in the Subcontinent.
He holds enough experience of the Subcontinent conditions, having played in his native country’s domestic circuit for Sui Gas Corporation of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 and WAPDA. He has also played alongside English recruits Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Bopara during his stint
in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warwickshire-c862 in England.
The Proteas are expected to announce their final 15-man squad for the World Cup by January 19th.
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