'Trying to stay as long as I can' – Tahir
The 39-year-old leg-spinner remains the Proteas' first-choice slow bowler in ODIs but was rested for the Sri Lanka tour last month to give selectors an opportunity to look at other spin options.
Asked about the possibility of retirement Tahir said: “It is a bit early for me to say anything. I am loving the game at the moment, but I will admit that if we win the World Cup I will probably call it. It’s too early to say but at the moment I am enjoying every opportunity that I get to play for South Africa. I am trying to go as long as I can, I want to make sure I enjoy my game and I give what the team requires from me. I also don’t want to overstay in the team, I want to leave with respect.”
Tahir, who is back playing in the current series against Zimbabwe, has 86 caps and 141 wickets, and says he is eager to impart his knowledge and skills to the next generation of South African spinners coming through.
“It is nice to see the spinners coming up,” he said. “Shamsi has done well and deserves to be where he is at right now. I am looking forward to share my knowledge with him and with all the spinners that I will get to play with, even at the Dolphins. I always try to help spinners as much as I can wherever I play in the world. It is exciting that we have another mystery bowler in Shamsi and I look forward to playing with him if we do play two spinners. We talk often about the game, and we make plans in advance of any series or game, which is great. I am happy to help anyone who wants to talk about spin.”
South Africa head into the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on Wednesday 1-0 up, after Tahir took 2/23 on his return to international action.
“Every game is a challenge," he added. "Personally I don’t take any match for granted. If you are playing for your country you have to be up for it, regardless of whom you are playing against you have to win, that is why we wear this jersey. I am up for it, the team is up for it and we have learnt from the mistakes we made in the last game."