Mohammad Imran Tahir is a Pakistani-born South African cricketer. A spin bowler who predominantly bowls googlies and a right-handed batsman, Tahir currently plays for South Africa in ODI and T20 formats while also representing Dolphins in South Africa, Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

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He revealed his decision to retire from One-Day International cricket after the conclusion of ICC World Cup 2019 earlier this year. The leg-spinner now prepares for an emotional farewell as his side takes on Australia in their final league game of the tournament.

Born in Pakistan, Tahir realised his dream of playing international cricket with South Africa. Having emerged as one of the most successful spinners for the Proteas, the 40-year-old would no longer be available to play for the team in the 50-over format after the game against the Aussies on July 06 (Saturday).

He announced it through an emotional tweet which said “Quite an emotional moment that I will be stepping on to the field one last time for an odi for @OfficialCSA wholeheartedly thanking everyone who stood with me during my entire career and special thanks for @OfficialCSA to make my dream a reality.Will give it all I have tomm”

Check out his tweet here :

Quite an emotional moment that I will be stepping on to the field one last time for an odi for @OfficialCSA wholeheartedly thanking everyone who stood with me during my entire career and special thanks for @OfficialCSA to make my dream a reality.Will give it all I have tomm

— Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) July 5, 2019

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“But it makes me feel very sad and emotional that I’m going to leave. It was always my dream always to play international cricket and I’m really grateful to everyone who helped me on the way. They accepted me for who I was, the guy who came from overseas and got the opportunity and they accepted that.”

“It’s a big moment of my life – I always wanted to play cricket and play as long as I could and now is the right time to go. I never thought I’d be here in England playing my last ODI,” he added.

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While he will no longer don the ODI jersey, Tahir will be available for the T20I format for South Africa and continue playing cricket for the foreseeable future. The Australia encounter at Old Trafford in Manchester will be Tahir’s 107th and final ODI.