COMMENT; Imran Tahir became the sixth South African and 34th bowler overall to take four or more wickets on debut in one-day internationals.
The Pakistan born leg-break bowler achieved this feat by taking four wicket for 41 runs against West Indies at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi, on Thursday. The 31-year old also became the first South African and 18th bowler overall to take four or more wickets while playing for the first time in a WC match.
Imran Tahir was born on March 27, 1979, at Lahore and is the epitome of a journeyman cricketer. In fact, he has barely stopped moving. Since starting his first-class career in 1996-97 he has racked up at least 10 teams ranging from Lahore to Yorkshire via the Titans in South Africa. He has had stints with three English counties; Middlesex, Yorkshire and Hampshire, who he signed for in 2008.
He married a South African girl and was not available for South Africa until December 2010. Tahir continued to pick up loads of wickets in the domestic circuit for Dolphins, and was finally granted South African citizenship by naturalisation in January 2011. Less than a week later, he was picked for South Africa’s squad for the one-dayers against India. Imran Tahir made his international debut after playing 96 domestic limited overs matches. He became the 102nd player to represent South Africa in limited overs internationals cricket.
Best bowling on debut for South Africa:
Figures Bowler Opponent Venue Date Result
5-29 A Donald India Kolkata 10 -11-91 SA lost
4-12 V Philander Ireland Belfast 24-06-07 SA won
4-34 S Pollock England Cape Town 09-01-96 SA won
4-41 I Tahir W Indies Delhi 24-02-11 Awaited
4-42 D Rundle Australia Brisbane 09-01-94 SA lost
4-50 L Tsotsobe Australia Perth 30-01-09 SA won
