South Africans by paper, but not by lineage. excel in the game. Imran Tahir (Pakistan) is a shining example.
There are South Africans by paper and South Africans by lineage. And when it comes to cricket, I think South Africans by paper are superior to those who South Africans by lineage.
Courtesy: IOL
Imran Tahir, who’s 39, is a South African resident by paper, a Pakistan national by lineage. Tahir’s consistently incredible form for the Proteas continues to argue against his age. When South Africa thwarted Zimbabwe in three consecutive ODI series earlier this week (to claim a series white-wash), South African bowlers were outstanding with Tahir leading the pack.
I watched the second ODI and the first T20 matches between the countries. Tahir registered 5-23 in the 2nd ODI match and 6-24 in the first T20, making a total of 11 wickets for 47 runs in the two matches. In the 2nd ODI, he produced a hat-trick (dismissed three batsmen within an over) of wickets. When asked about his performance, Tahir replied: “I had even forgotten that I got a hat-trick.”
Tahir is the best spinning bowler in the South African bowling attack. Truly speaking, he has never broken any relationship, as they say. The gentleman has always been equal to the task.
Tahir has been granted a rest for the two remaining T20 matches against Zimbabwe on Friday (South Africa lost) and on Sunday.
So my hat is off to this man from Pakistan. I wish I could feel the same way about several players who are South Africans by lineage. Morne Morkel (bowler) and Ab de Villiers (batsman) called it quits when the national team desperately needed them.
They could take lesson Tahir, who has worn–and continues to wear–the Proteas’ badge with honor and pride.
