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Smith welcomes Tahir inclusion

saneindian

By saneindian
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saneindian Enthusiast

saneindian

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http://www.thenewage.co.za/6926-10-53-Tahir_likely_to_play_for_Proteas_in_final_Test Pakistan-born leg spinner Imran Tahir has been granted permanent residence status and is likely to play to for South Africa on Sunday when the Proteas take on India in the third and final Test. “I have been given citizenship. I am in their offices right now getting the paper work done,†Tahir said on Friday morning. Obviously elated, Tahir said he could not comment further until he had completed the necessary “paper workâ€. The much anticipated breakthrough came just weeks after Cricket South Africa’s (CSA's) appealed to Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to overturn an earlier decision. Initially Tahir’s request for a permanent residence permit had been rejected. However, after The New Age exposed Tahir’s plight, the Home Affairs Department changed its mind and allowed him to get his permit. Earlier this month, Tahir opened up to TNA, saying: “I am loving it here. I love the country and the people. That is why I have decided to stop playing for Pakistan and direct all my efforts at making myself eligible to play for South Africa. This is my country now.†The talented leg spinner is married to a South African and is presently enjoying a great debut season with the Nashua Dolphins. He is the leading wicket taker in the SuperSport series after topping the averages (for those with 10 wickets or more). Watching the Proteas from the sidelines became all the more frustrating for Tahir when he was picked for the crucial Test series against England last year, only to be dropped a day later because he did not have the required documentation to represent his adopted country. “It has been frustrating to wait but at the same time it is important to respect the rules and regulations of the country. I know Cricket South Africa through Mr (Gerald) Majola have been working flat out on getting me to be eligible for selectionâ€. “I am really grateful for that,†said Tahir. CSA are keen to have a leg spinner who understands the Asian conditions when India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh host the world cup next year. He has played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a whirlwind career that has also seen him play cricket for four English counties. Besides getting the job done for the Dolphins, Tahir has been working with up-and-coming youngsters around Durban in imparting his great experience of the art of leg spin bowling. “It is something I love doing, so to get to teach these kids is really enjoyable. I hope they can learn from me and the country can have more leg spinners for the future,†said the 31 year old Tahir. The development makes Tahir eligible for selection for the Proteas with the series evenly balanced at one all the leg spinner could give SA an edge. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leg Spinner playing for the Saffers. Our batters are going to love it, an attacking spinner instead of a defensive one like Harris.
vayuu1 Veteran

vayuu1

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wow' date=' so this loser wasnt good enuff to play for the PAKIS? he must be severely ****.[/quote'] Stop acting like an idiot ,i know that our team and players are critisized by bunch of gud4nothing people,but please no need to go so low,this guy though was considered gud but was always under the shadow of mushtaq,saqlain and kaneria and beside that when a country is going through lot of turmoil ur 1st priority is 2 save ur life and not playing game ,he wants a better and secure future ,so nothing wrong in that.
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Smith welcomes Tahir inclusion Graeme Smith is relishing the opportunity to link up with spinner Imran Tahir when the ODI series against India begin on Wednesday. More... Wednesday 12th January 2011 Smith welcomes Tahir inclusion Graeme Smith is relishing the opportunity to link up with spinner Imran Tahir when the ODI series against India begin on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Pakistan-born leg-spinner was originally called up to face England in January but was immediately withdrawn after it emerged he had not yet qualified for the Proteas. Now available, though, his presence has dominated the build-up to the India encounters and Smith is delighted to have a more attacking slow bowling option than that provided by the likes of Paul Harris and Johan Botha. "It is something I have dreamed of throughout my captaincy," he said. "It is an asset to have an attacking wicket-taking option in the middle overs, which we haven't really had. More.. Smith’s dream comes true 2011-01-11 Johannesburg - South Africa captain Graeme Smith described the inclusion of leg-spinner Imran Tahir in the Proteas’ one-day line-up as a dream come true on Tuesday. Smith, when asked about his thoughts on having an attacking spinner in the squad, said: “It is something I have dreamt about during my captaincy.” There is no doubt that Smith is excited by the added dimension that the 31-year-old Tahir will bring to the squad. “Where we play Imran, and how we play him, is a crucial aspect of his management. For us to have an attacking option, especially through the middle overs, is a real asset because it is not something we have really had,” Smith told a news conference in Durban. Tahir, with his mixture of leg-spinners, googlies, top-spinners and sliders, has the ability to confuse even the most talented of batsmen but Smith said it was vital that he learnt what made the bowler tick. “It’s also about getting to know Imran as a person and how he works. That is always a key factor in terms of handling someone, so spending some time with him is going to be crucial. “How we manage him going forward is also an important factor but it is a valuable asset to have someone who is a wicket-taker,” Smith explained. England batsman Kevin Pietersen, during his brief spell with the Dolphins late last year, described his team-mate as “world class” adding that anyone who could spin the ball both ways with as much control as Tahir has is always going to be a tough proposition. South Africa begin their five-match one-day international series against India in Durban on Wednesday and the weather conditions leading into the match make the inclusion of Tahir in South Africa’s starting XI unlikely. Heavy rain on Monday night left the field under water, although the impressive drainage system saw a dry field on Tuesday morning. More rain was predicted on the night before the match which could force South Africa to squeeze in an extra pace bowler with Tahir unlikely to unseat the incumbent spinner Johan Botha. But the Proteas’ management will be keeping a close eye on Tahir’s progress during the series with an eye to the World Cup on the sub-continent next month where the expected spin-friendly conditions will suit Tahir. The Pakistani-born Tahir has generated a lot of hype for a player who has yet to be tested in the white-hot cauldron of international cricket and Smith is loath to place too many demands on his new charge. “I don’t want to put too much pressure and expectation on him, I just want to let him find his feet and grow in the (team) environment. “He has proven to be very successful in county cricket (in England) and domestic cricket (in South Africa) and I would just like him to find his feet at international level,” said Smith. “Johan has been excellent for us, he has really controlled the games well for us and to have someone like Imran in our squad, who can pick up wickets in the middle overs and change games, together with our seam attack is a wonderful asset,” he concluded. "It's good to bat during the day time. It does slightly less compared to the evening session," he said. "Under lights the ball does a bit more compared to the afternoon session. The toss becomes a bit crucial. But even after winning the toss you have to do the basics right. "The white Kookaburra ball does a bit initially, which means if you see the new ball off, the older ball comes on to the bat nicely, which means you can play your strokes. Most of the grounds are not very big."

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