Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is enjoying the challenge posed by the relatively small boundaries at the Multan Cricket Stadium and Gaddafi Stadium during the ongoing Pakistan Super League.
Tahir, who is playing for the Multan Sultans, has taken eight wickets in five matches during the 2020 PSL. The Sultans currently occupy top position in the tournament's six-team standings, after four victories in five matches. Multan are priced at 3.75 by bet365 to win the PSL this year.
“Boundaries aren't that big in PSL therefore it's not easy for bowlers, but having said that this is the test for bowlers as well to come up with a counter strategy,” said Tahir.
Tahir in the IPL
Tahir retired from ODI cricket last year, but remains in contention for a berth in South Africa's squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. He will play for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2020 Indian Premier League – and represented the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in the Mzansi Super League in late 2019.
“I have been through tough times along with a lot of sacrifices to reach where I am. I always wanted to perform at big stage and now I am living my dream,” he added.
“I celebrate each wicket as my first and the last. This is my style and it just happens every time I dismiss a batsman.”
Tahir, if selected for the T20 World Cup, might be accompanied by former South African captain AB de Villiers.
De Villiers recently suggested coming out of international retirement to compete in the 2020 T20 World Cup. Head coach Mark Boucher has since set de Villiers a deadline. Come early June, a week after the IPL final, Boucher wants to know whether de Villiers is available for selection. The hard-hitting right-hander will play for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2020 IPL.
“The big one is the IPL, so we decided to let those guys do the IPL and then afterwards make themselves available,” said Boucher.
“From 1 June, which is the Sri Lanka tour, those guys need to make themselves available. Whether we select them is another story.
“But they need to make themselves available if they want to put their hands up for a T20 World Cup spot.”
