South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup

South African leg spinner Imran Tahir will retire from ODI cricket after the 2019 ICC World Cup in England & Wales later this year.
South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup

Tahir, 39, was not on Cricket South Africa's list of contracted players for the 2019/20 season and has since revealed he told the country's officials he will call it quits after the tournament in England and Wales starting on May 30.

Tahir, who has played 95 ODIs for the Proteas so far, will turn 40 in a few days. The Lahore-born leggie made his debut in February 2011.

Tahir, who took 3 wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs as South Africa coasted to an eight-wicket ODI victory over Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Sunday, is competing with Tabraiz Shamsi for the frontline spinner role in the 50-over team.

But the Pakistan-born bowler hailed as "my biggest weapon as a captain" by South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis after the Sri Lanka win, is almost certain to start at the World Cup.

Tahir has taken 156 wickets in 95 ODI matches with an economy rate of 4.65. He has also played in 20 Tests and 37 Twenty20 international games.

Tahir says he will play the Twenty20 circuit after the World Cup, but would like to remain involved with the South African side in the shortest format.

 "Cricket South Africa has allowed me to go and play around the world in various leagues but I would also love to play T20 cricket for South Africa," he said.

"I have always wanted to play in the World Cup. It would be a great achievement for me to play for this great team. I have a mutual understanding with Cricket South Africa and going forward I decided that I would finish at the World Cup, that is why I am contracted until then," Tahir said.

After that, Cricket South Africa has allowed me to go and play around the world in various leagues but I would also love to play T20 cricket for South Africa. I think I have the ability and can play a role in T20 cricket for South Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity.

I would love to play for as long as I can, but there is a stage in your life where you have to make big decisions. This is one of those big decisions it is definitely the biggest decision of my life.

"I also feel there are a couple of good spinners in the country who need the opportunity. We are fighting for the same spot, but looking to the future, they will have more opportunities to play for South Africa."

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