Imran Tahir happy to impart his vast knowledge

An hour after the Joburg Super Kings wrapped up a crucial victory over the Paarl Royals at the Wanderers, as his teammates boarded their bus to journey back to the hotel, Imran Tahir was still outside the change room, demonstrating leg spin to a young fan. 

He flipped a ball between his fingers, flicked it out of the back of his hand, tossed it out the top, then the side.

Tests — 20. Wickets — 57. Best Bowling (inns): 5/32. Best Bowling (match): 8/130. Average: 40.24.

ODIs — 107. Wickets — 173. Best Bowling: 7/45. Average: 24.83. Economy Rate: 4.65.

T20Is — 38. Wickets — 63. Best Bowling: 5/23. Average: 15.04. Economy Rate: 6.73.

3 — Tahir is one of three players who have represented South Africa and played over 400 T20 matches. The others are David Miller and Faf du Plessis. Before last night’s match with Durban Super Giants, Tahir had taken 531 wickets in 428 T20 matches.

1684 — The total number of wickets Tahir has taken in his career across all formats  (before last night’s match).

(Source: Espncricinfo)

—  International Career

He grabbed the young man’s hand, got him to hold the ball and turned his wrist to show him how the delivery he was demonstrating should be bowled. 

“Immy, we gotta go,” someone shouted from the bus. It took another 10 minutes, but eventually Tahir complied. The youngster left with a smile on his face and head full of knowledge. 

“When I see youngsters I will talk to them, because I feel like that is giving back. I think that is the reason I am playing,” said Tahir. 

Now 46, with flecks of grey poking out between blonde highlights, Tahir can’t help himself. That same enthusiasm with which he started his professional career as a 17-year-old in November 1996 for Lahore City is still there.

He will talk to anyone, pose for pictures — and don’t get him started on leg-spin, because there aren’t enough hours in the day.

“Normally, you just see leg spin or the googly, and that’s it. But there’s a lot more to it. Sliders, flippers, top spinners, side googly, top googly ... a lot of things,” Tahir smiled.

Improved myself

Sharing that knowledge is very important for Tahir. “When I was trying to get into professional cricket I asked for a lot of help, but didn’t get it.

I’ve improved myself, I’ve learnt all the variations, but I can’t be the guy who doesn’t like to share with others, because no-one shared with me when I was coming up — I can’t be that kind of person,” he said.

“I’ve got one, maybe two more years to enjoy everything I can, and the youngsters have 10 to 20 years to enjoy their cricket. I feel proud if I can help somebody and then they do well, for South Africa especially.”

That passion for South Africa still runs deep. It is the country that gave Tahir an opportunity when Pakistan, the land of his birth, didn’t. He met his wife here, earned a provincial contract and then global acclaim, wearing a Proteas badge on his chest after making his international debut at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

He played 165 times for South Africa, making his last appearance in a T20 International in 2019. “They are the same people that have given me their hopes and trust that I can do something for South Africa,” Tahir remarked about his connection with South African fans. 

So, when players from this country ask for tips, he’s more than happy to make time. Nqaba Peter was one of those. The 23-year-old has played two One-Day Internationals and eight T20s for the Proteas but, despite success domestically, he is still learning his craft.  “He’s a talented guy,” said Tahir.

Good pace

Rather than too much talking, Tahir said his work with Peter focused on the practical. “When he was picked for South Africa, we met [at the Wanderers] and I said, ‘let’s go to the nets now.’ I like to show youngsters what the ball should be like when you release it from your hands. He has good pace, there is talk about his googly but it could be more accurate.”

Peter has played just one match for the Paarl Royals in this year’s SA20, but Tahir would have shared with him that mastering the leg spin doesn’t happen overnight.  “I was letting him know that if I could do it, so could he — we both hold the ball the same way. I hope that helps him going forward,” said Tahir.

In a Joburg team that has suffered a raft of injuries in this year’s SA20, his contributions have been critical. He has provided control, stemmed the opposition scoring and taken five wickets — celebrating each of those with the kind of passion usually seen from a rookie.

“You don’t get wickets easily, these are good players. The pitches are flat, so when you get a wicket make sure you let the world know what it means to you. It means a lot to me.”