Proteas spinner Imran Tahir to retire from ODI cricket after World Cup

South African spinner Imran Tahir said that he will be retiring from the One-Day International cricket after this year’s World Cup. The announcement which came following the first ODI match against Sri Lanka has put an end to speculations, following his absence from the list of players who will receive national contract from Cricket South Africa.

Tahir who has played 95 ODIs will play his 100th at the World Cup in England later this year. “We had a mutual understanding – Cricket SA and myself – that going forward, I will finish at the World Cup,” Tahir said on March 3.

#CSAnews The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will be @ImranTahirSA's final ODI appearance. The 39-year-old will still be available for T20I but wants open up more opportunities for spinners in ODI cricket pic.twitter.com/ESifkd3Xu6

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 4, 2019

The soon-to-be 40-year-old also said that he will be available for the Proteas in the T20 format until at least the 2020 T20 World Cup.

“I believe I have a role to play for SA in T20s,” Tahir added.

On Sunday, Tahir took 3/26 against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers. The Pakistan-born leg-spinner has taken 57 wickets in 20 Tests played between 2011 and 2015 and has claimed 62 scalps in 37 T20Is till date.

Tahir also holds the record for the best return by a Proteas bowler in an ODI against West Indies where he took for his 7/45 in 2016.