Days after claiming his first ODI hat-trick, against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein, the South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir came close to take another on Tuesday against the same opposition. This time the format was T20I and he had already struck in his first over after South Africa set Zimbabwe 161 to win the first T20I at Buffalo Park.
Imran pinned Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza in front on 7 and off the next, thanks to an excellent catch from ‘keeper Quinton de Kock, removed Tarisai Musakanda for a first-ball duck.
But, as an anti-climax, new batsman Sean Williams dismissed the hat-trick ball through covers for thrashing boundary and the bowler missed the chance of becoming the first spinner to achieve the feat in T20Is. However, Tahir would claim two more scalps to finish with 5/23 – his best figures in the format which played a major role in bowling out Zimbabwe for 126 in 17.2 overs as South Africa took 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
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While happy with his bowling, Imran wished he could have taken the hat-trick, during the match-presentation, he said, “I wish I could have got the hat-trick. Till I am doing well for the team, I am happy. I am really pleased (with my performance). I don’t take things for granted. It came out the way I wanted it to.”
Traditionally, pacers have been the ones making the use of the new ball. However, it’s now become a trend in international cricket to see as spinners performing the new-ball duties. Keeping that in mind, Tahir has been working on that aspect in the nets. Imran explained, “I practice with the old and new balls to be more accurate. I have been bowling in T20Is with the new ball. I am learning to do it in ODIs. I am a firm believer in the fact that it is never too late to learn.”
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis was impressed with Tahir’s spell saying the spinner has made a habit of picking up wickets and they expect him to replicate that form in the ODIs as well.
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Faf said, “Imran bowled really well. He has got the knack of picking up wickets and he showed that today by picking up three wickets up front. We want him to do the same in ODIs as well.”
On a slow pitch, South Africa found themselves in trouble early after losing both their openers in the first two overs. Du Plessis (34) along with debutant Rassie van der Dussen (56) to stabilize the innings.
Du Plessis was impressed by the composure shown by the 29-year-old Van der Dussen as he said, “I thought somewhere around 155 was about par. There was some dew and it tested us. Rassie played really well. To have that composure was great for someone playing his first game.”
