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01-Jan-2011 09:00:00 GMT
South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Cape Town

Pakistan Born Imran Tahir May Play 3rd Test

Cape Town: Finally, Pakistan-born leg spinner Imran Tahir can play for South Africa. His eligibility was confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola on Friday.

Majola was reported as saying, "Imran Tahir, the former Pakistan A leg spinner, is now fully eligible to play cricket for South Africa following the decision by the South African government to grant him permanent residency."

Tahir has been given a 'certificate of naturalisation' by the department of home affairs. Now, there is a strong possibility that Tahir may be included in the squad for the crucial third Test which begins on Sunday. He is certain to be named in the ODI team for the five-match series beginning January 12 in Durban.

Tahir 'qualified' to play for South Africa on April 1, 2009 by marrying a local woman and was even named in the squad for Test against England in Jan 2010. But since his permanent residency papers were not in order, he had to be taken out of the squad in January.

As per regulations, he became eligible in December. Tahir has played for almost 10 teams since his first-class debut in 1996-97. He has turned out for Warwickshire, Middlesex, Yorkshire and Hampshire in England and is playing for the Dolphins in SA at the moment.

He has a very impressive first class record with 535 wickets in 127 games at an average of 25. Majola was reported as saying, "He also qualifies in terms of the ICC regulations to be eligible to play for South Africa after his five-year break between last playing for Pakistan A and playing in South Africa for this period."


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