Tahir: South Africa can do well at the World Cup
Leg-spinner, Tahir, was rested for South Africa’s recent tour of Sri Lanka, but is expected to be their front-line spinner at next year’s World Cup in England and Wales.
He has played at two editions of the World Cup, taking 29 wickets, more than any other spinner for the Proteas.
South Africa have famously never claimed a World Cup title, falling at the semi-final stage on four occasions. However, Tahir believes their current squad is capable of achieving anything at CWC19.
“I'm looking at next year's World Cup as a tournament that South Africa can do well in,” he told Pak Passion.
“We have a good team and have a great bunch of guys who will fight to the end and never give up.
“I can't predict that we will win the World Cup but I'm pretty sure we can get through to the semi-finals and then anything is possible.”
In recent times, South Africa have been rocked by the retirements of AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel from international cricket. Next year’s World Cup is also likely to be Dale Steyn’s last - Tahir would like nothing more than to send him off by lifting the famous trophy at Lord’s.
“Just like Jacques Kallis, you simply cannot replace Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, who have been great servants of South African cricket. I salute such great performers and I hope that as a team South Africa can give Dale Steyn a great send-off from white-ball cricket next year at the World Cup.”
There are few more uplifting sights in cricket than Tahir exuberantly taking off to celebrate a wicket - which happened 15 times at the last World Cup. He explains the background behind his famous celebration.
“I'm not really sure what goes through my mind when I take a wicket, I sort of lose control,” he added.
“I think it's the relief and the passion coming out every time I take a wicket as I have waited all my life to get the chance to play at the highest level of cricket and finally I got there, so I just want to enjoy and savour every wicket.
“I also feel that every wicket is important and special to me, whether it's club cricket or international cricket and it's probably that passion coming out from within when I pick up a wicket.”