Imran Tahir set to play for South Africa
Pakistan-born leg spinner Imran Tahir is likely to make his Test debut for South Africa in the third and final Test of the Castle Test Series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
He has been called to the squad after he was given permanent residence status in South Africa. He has already spent more than three years in the country which is more than what the International Cricket Council requires.
Tahir was selected for South Africa’s Test series against England in 2009 but was dropped soon as he did not get the permission from the home office. However, Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 appealed to the Minister of Home Affairs to overturn the decision.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir has played his entire junior cricket representing Pakistan and played for several teams in the domestic circuit.
Imran played the ICC Under-19 World Cup representing Pakistan in 1997-98 but failed to get an opportunity at the highest level of the sport as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314. Tahir was
so disheartened that he left for South Africa and married a girl there.
Many analysts in Pakistan believe that Imran Tahir could have been a better option for Pakistan as compared to Danish Kaneria.
He has also played for different county teams in England and has had a couple of outstanding seasons in domestic circuit of South Africa. His brilliant performances caught the eyes of Proteas’ selectors.
Imran was very happy and excited about the prospect of playing for South Africa. He said, “It has been frustrating to wait but at the same time it is important to respect the rules and regulations of the country. I know Cricket South Africa through Mr (Gerald)
Majola who has been working flat out on getting me to be eligible for selection.”
Imran has played 127 first-class matches so far in which he has taken 535 wickets. He is 31 right now and feels that he has about 4 to 5 years of high-class cricket left in him. He also intends to cement his place in the Proteas line-up.
He might prove to be a great selection for South Africa but will also raise some eyebrows about the selection procedure in Pakistan as Imran has been constantly ignored by many selection committees in the past.
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