Cricket South Africa on Sunday congratulated Imran Tahir on the occasion of his 100th One-Day International appearance for the Standard Bank Proteas.
He reached this landmark when the Proteas took the field for their second league match at the ICC Men’s World Cup against Bangladesh at the Oval in London.
The Pakistan-born Tahir becomes the second South African specialist spin bowler to make 100 appearances in this format, following Nicky Boje who made 113 appearances. He also becomes the 24th Protea to make a century of ODI appearances.
“Congratulations to Imran on this outstanding achievement,” commented CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe. “He made his debut for us at the 2011 World Cup, so it is highly appropriate that he should achieve this landmark at another World Cup tournament.
“His performances speak for themselves, including the best bowling figures for the Proteas in an ODI and the fastest to take 100 wickets in this format for us.
Imran Tahir’s message on his 100th ODI:
A MESSAGE FROM IMMY ON HIS 1⃣0⃣0⃣th
🗣”It just feels right each time I put on the green jersey” - @ImranTahirSA
Can he find the much-needed breakthrough ?
BAN, 183/2 29.2 OVERS #ProteaFire🔥 #CWC19 #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/2LEVMl8vbc
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 2, 2019
“What really stands out for me is the passion he has always displayed in representing his adopted country. He has added tremendously to the rich diversity of our Proteas that has become the hallmark of the unified era.
“He is also a wonderful professional who has embraced a strong work ethic to maintain his fitness and skills at an advanced age. He was recently the leading wicket-taker at the Indian Premier League and he remains our leading strike bowler in white ball cricket. He remains the go-to bowler in crucial moments.
“We are grateful for what he has brought to South African cricket over the past decade, not least of all his being a role model to develop the spin bowling culture at all levels of our cricket,” concluded Moroe.
African News Agency