South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who’s listed Number One in ICC Twenty20 Rankings followed by Number three in ODIs, has stated he is working hard to improve as a player before expressing that he is playing every match like his last.
“I just call it hard work and I take it very seriously. I don’t feel like I am relaxed. I play it as my last game because playing for such a good team you must keep performing,” Imran was quoted as saying by Iol.co.za.
The Lahore-born 37-year-old Imran, who was speaking to media persons ahead of the Durban ODI, bowled splendidly well in the first ODI at Port Elizabeth against Sri Lanka by picking three wickets at an economy of 2.60 while giving away 26 runs in 10 overs.
“It was tough, hard to bowl with the wind and against the wind, but our captain used us very well. I don’t think I played in conditions like that in a long time,” Imran said.
Imran has been performing consistently for the Proteas following his game plan for limited-overs cricket.
“I’m doing well in the field. I am enjoying myself. As long as I carry on, the main thing is for me is doing well for the team. That’s my main goal in life,” Imran concluded.
The wily leggie has been the huge success for the South Africa as a slow bowler against the major opponents.
Proteas skipper has urged to continue with Imran for the ICC Champions Trophy which is scheduled in May.
“Immy is probably in the best form I have seen him right now. He doesn’t bowl bad balls any more. He always used to take wickets, but he just doesn’t bowl bad balls, which makes him really difficult to play,” Proteas skipper AB de Villiers said.
As the Kolpak signing has seen players preferring to join English County Clubs, the next few months would certainly play a huge role to see how things would shape up in South African cricket.
However, De Villiers has effusively praised Imran by saying he is an asset for the team by giving his best on the field.
“It’s one thing that he picks up wickets, but at the moment he’s keeping the runs down as well. He’s a great guy to have in our team. He plays with lots of passion. I can’t come up with enough things to say about him, just very proud of him,” de Villiers added.
Making his case strong, Imran made international debut in 2011 against West Indies. He played 65 ODIs in which he has bagged 114 wickets at an average of 23.05.
In 30 T20Is, he claimed 49 wickets at an average of 14.61. His best figures in ODIs came as seven for 45 and four for 21 in T20Is.
The second ODI between South Africa and Sri Lanka is scheduled in Durban on 1st February.