Dubai: South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has said that he feels that he should get a little more respect from the team management who considered him worthless. He also said that since Mark Boucher took over as the head coach, there has been no communication with him on the plans for the T20 World Cup.
Tahir was one of three big misses from South Africa’s squad for the T20 World Cup to be held in Oman and UAE from October 17 to November 14, along with Faf du Plessis and Chris Morris. Although Tahir retired from ODIs after the 2019 World Cup, he had made himself available for T20Is. He is South Africa’s second highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 61 wickets at an economy rate of 6.56. Tahir last featured in a T20I for South Africa in March 2019.
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“I don’t feel like I’m not in the team. Last year Graeme Smith spoke to me and said I want you to play in the World Cup, which was in Australia. I clearly said that I am available and excited and honored because you give me respect. I am ready,” Tahir said in an interview to IOL Sport on Friday.
“I am working hard and you can see my performance in all these leagues. He said that’s why he wants me. He also said that he is going to talk to some others like AB (de Villiers) and Faf (du Plessis). They put me in the Proteas group and everything, but then no one approached me,” Tahir said.
“After a few months I messaged Smith and Boucher and no one answered me. Ever since Boucher became coach, he hasn’t approached me even once to tell me what his plans are. It’s really sad man. I served the country for 10 years. I feel like I deserve a little more respect than these guys, thinking I’m worthless.”
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The 42-year-old revealed how he tried to reach white-ball captain Temba Bavuma, who directed him to Viktor Mpitsang, the coordinator of the selectors.
“I spoke to Temba and he said he had a meeting with Boucher next week. Temba came back to me with a message from Boucher that I should talk to Victor. I tried to reach him (Mpitsang) again and he told me Tried calling my WhatsApp number. But they didn’t realize that WhatsApp doesn’t work in Dubai. Victor eventually spoke to me and said he’d let me know. But then a few months later I didn’t hear anything “
Tahir, currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League, has no intention of retiring from international cricket. He is still passionate about representing South Africa in T20Is.
“I want to tell my story to the people of South Africa because I played with my heart. Whether people accept me as South African or not, I am South African. My wife is South African and my family is South African. My The baby was born in South Africa, so this is my home.
“I’ve always wanted to win a World Cup for South Africa, thanks to the opportunity this country has given me, so I’m not planning on retiring. I’m going to play till 50 if I have to, Tahir concluded.
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