South Africa Veteran Imran Tahir Returns To Dolphins For CSA One Day Cup Title Defence

Imran Tahir rejoined Dolphins for their CSA One Day Cup title defence amid multiple player absences.

Veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir is set to return to the Dolphins for their CSA One Day Cup title defence, which begins on Friday against the Warriors in Gqeberha. Tahir previously represented the Dolphins in South Africa’s domestic circuit from the 2010–11 season to 2019–20.

JJ Smuts, who was most recently in action for Italy at the T20 World Cup, has also returned to the Dolphins squad, strengthening the side ahead of the new season.

The 46-year-old Tahir’s return comes at an important time for the Dolphins. The team will miss seven of their key players when South Africa tour New Zealand for a five-match T20I series starting March 15.

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“Imran is a fantastic team guy, and we are really looking forward to having him in our space for the One Day Cup,” Dolphins coach Quinton Friend said in a statement. “With us losing all those players for the New Zealand tour, I thought it would be great to bring in a guy like Imran with all his experience, and we’re really excited to have him in our changeroom.”

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With South Africa set to host the 50-over World Cup in 2027, when Tahir will be 48, Friend said the importance of domestic 50-over cricket has grown significantly.

“The One Day Cup is a huge competition domestically, and if you look at how Cricket South Africa are trying to build a squad for the World Cup next year, it’s crucial that the players understand the 50-over format.

“I think it’s a fantastic format, and building up to that World Cup it’s really important that we can focus on the things we want to achieve as a nation at that tournament. From a CSA perspective, the One Day Cup is massive for domestic cricket and is definitely one of those competitions that everyone wants to win.”