Top 5 spells by Imran Tahir

When we talk about late bloomers in cricket, South African spinner Imran Tahir has to be one of the first names that come to mind. He made his debut at the 2011 World Cup when he was nearing 32 and is still going strong in his late 30s.

Tahir is South Africa’s 8th highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 139 wickets and also their 2nd highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 58 wickets. He also has 57 Test wickets to his name.

Today, Tahir will be turning 39. So, on the occasion of his birthday, let’s take a look at his five best bowling spells across formats:

#5 5/32 vs Pakistan at Dubai, 2013

It was the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan at Dubai in October 2013. Pakistan had taken a 1-0 lead in the series by winning the first Test at Abu Dhabi. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first.

The Pakistani batting stood no chance against the brilliant googlies by Tahir and were bundled out for just 99 with the spinner taking 5/32, his maiden five-wicket haul in international cricket. South Africa scored 517 in their first innings thanks to Graeme Smith’s 234 and AB de Villiers’ 164.

In the second innings, Tahir took another three wickets as Pakistan were dismissed for 326, giving South Africa an innings victory with the series ending in a 1-1 draw.

#4. 4/21 vs Netherlands at Chittagong, 2014

Tahir's brilliant spell helped the Proteas register what seemed like an unlikely victory against the Netherlands

This spell may have come against a much weaker nation but given the circumstances, it turned out to be a priceless match-winning spell. It was the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and South Africa were up against the Netherlands at Chittagong.

South Africa began strongly with Hashim Amla scoring a 22-ball 43 and skipper Faf du Plessis scoring a 14-ball 24. However, a brilliant spell of 5/19 from Dutch pacer Ahsan Malik restricted the Proteas to 145/9.

In reply, Netherlands began brilliantly with opener Stephan Myburgh smashing 51 off 28 deliveries. However, following Myburgh’s dismissal, Tahir began to wreak havoc as he dismissed Wesley Barresi, skipper Peter Borren and Tom Cooper.

Netherlands still looked in a strong position to win the game as they had the run-rate in their favour. Tahir took his fourth scalp when he dismissed Pieter Seelaar to leave the Dutch side at 118/7. Netherlands eventually lost their remaining wickets and fell 6 runs short. Tahir’s spell was his best T20I figures at the time and he was adjudged the Man of the Match.

#3 5/24 vs New Zealand at Auckland, 2017

Tahir's 5/24 helped South Africa beat the Kiwis by 78 runs in their own backyard

South Africa’s month and a half long tour in New Zealand in early 2017 began with the only T20I at Auckland. New Zealand won the toss and skipper Kane Williamson opted to field first. South Africa posted a total of 185/6 on the board thanks to Hashim Amla’s 43-ball 62 and crucial contributions from AB de Villiers, skipper Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy.

In the run-chase, New Zealand were reduced to 55/4 thanks to some fine bowling from Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo. Things eventually got worse for the Kiwis when Imran Tahir began to clean up their remaining batsmen. Tahir went on to take 5/24 as New Zealand were skittled out for 107.

Tahir was adjudged the Man of the Match.

#2. 2/14 vs New Zealand at Auckland, 2017

Tahir ended with the most economical bowling figures by a South African spinner

This spell came during the same series as the one mentioned in the previous slide and also at the same ground - Eden Park at Auckland. It was the final ODI between South Africa and New Zealand and the series was tied at 2-2.

New Zealand batted first and struggled throughout their innings, tottering to 140/7. Tahir did not take a single wicket at this point but he was extremely economical. He eventually went on to take two late wickets and ended his spell at 2/14 from his 10 overs. This is the most economical spell bowled by a South African spinner in ODIs.

In reply, South Africa chased down the total in 17.4 overs with 6 wickets to spare. Tahir was not adjudged the Man of the Match but his spell is undeniably one of the finest in South Africa’s cricketing history.

#1 7/45 vs West Indies at Basseterre, 2016

Tahir bowled the best spell by a South African bowler in ODIs

Anybody who has followed Imran Tahir’s progress in ODIs will not be surprised to see this spell at the top of the list. In his ODI career till date, Tahir has picked up two five-wicket hauls and both of them have come against West Indies.

This spell came during the West Indies-South Africa-Australia tri-series in June 2016. It was the 6th match of the tri-series and South Africa were up against West Indies at Basseterre where they had suffered a 36-run defeat against Australia four days back.

West Indies won the toss and skipper Jason Holder decided to field first. South Africa posted a mammoth 343/4 from their 50 overs thanks to Hashim Amla’s 110 and scores of 73 and 71 from Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock respectively. Amla became the fastest to reach 23 centuries, doing so in 132 innings.

West Indies began the run chase well with openers Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles adding 69 for the first wicket. At this point, Tahir came in and broke the opening partnership before cleaning up one Windies batsman after another. Tahir ended up picking 7 wickets for 45 runs as West Indies were bowled out for just 204, giving South Africa a win by 139 runs.

In the process, the leggie bettered Rabada’s 6/16 against Bangladesh which came nearly a year ago. Tahir’s spell is also the 3rd best ODI spell by a spinner and the 11th best ODI spell by any bowler. He was unsurprisingly adjudged the Man of the Match.