Imran Tahir eligible for South Africa

Pakistan born spinner strong candidate for national spot.

CAPE TOWN: Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir has been granted South African citizenship and is eligible to represent the country, Cricket South Africa announced yesterday.

In a statement the CSA said Tahir had been granted citizenship by naturalisation and had fulfilled the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) regulations for selection by his new country. Tahir represented Pakistan Under-19 and Pakistan ‘A’ before marrying a South African woman and settling in South Africa.

He has not played for any Pakistan representative team for more than four years, which means he can play for another country in terms of ICC rules.

Tahir was selected for South Africa’s squad for the fourth Test against England last season but had to be withdrawn as his papers were not in order. A leg-spinner who bowls an effective googly, Tahir will be a strong candidate for South African selection.

In a first-class career, he has played for 11 different first-class teams, including four English counties, a nd has taken 535 first-class wickets at an average of 25.09. Tahir, who plays for the Dolphins, is the leading wicket-taker in South Africa’s domestic SuperSport Series competition this season, with 30 in four matches at an average of 22.00.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2011.