South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Imran Tahir released from the T20I squad

South African spinner Imran Tahir has been in stupendous form in limited-overs cricket. The Lahore-born bowler earlier turned out to be the leading wicket-taker in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe with 10 wickets from three encounters. In the second contest at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, the veteran went on to notch a hat-trick, which also helped the Proteas win the series.

The 39-year-old also played in the first of the three-match T20I series at Buffalo Park in East London and ended with figures of 4-0-23-5 to help his team to a 1-0 lead. In the meantime, it has been learned that the tweaker has been released from the squad for the last two T20Is in Potchefstroom and Benoni respectively as per reports in Cricket South Africa’s official twitter handle.

Tahir likely to retire after World Cup

The decision has been taken in order to give the other bowlers fair opportunities to show their prowess. In the first match, Dane Paterson and Robert Frylinck are the ones who didn’t get an opportunity and they may get a chance in the next match at Sewnes Park in Potchefstroom on October 12. The third and final T20I is scheduled to be staged at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

Earlier this month, Tahir mentioned that he will hang his boots if South Africa goes on to win the World Cup for the maiden time. The Proteas are one of the teams to not have won the mega-event once. The 50-overs tournament is set to take place from May 30 in England and Wales.

South Africa will play their first match against hosts England at Kennington Oval in the opening match of the event. Prior to the start of the World Cup, South Africa will play limited-overs series against Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and Tahir is expected to be a part of the respective squads.

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