Imran Tahir to retire from ODIs after 2019 World Cup

Cricket South Africa says spinner Imran Tahir will retire from One-day Internationals after the Cricket World Cup 2019.

The leg-spinner will be available for Twenty20 Internationals.

According to Cricket South Africa, Tahir wants to open up more opportunities for young spinners after his retirement from ODI cricket.

Cricket South Africa tweeted “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

In a statement released by CSA, Tahir said he would re-assess his freelance future after the World Cup.

Tahir said retiring from one-day internationals was a difficult decision.

He said, though, that he would like to play for South Africa in the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

The 39-year-old made his ODI debut against the Windies in Delhi, 2011.

He then went on to play 95 matches for his national team, scalping 156 wickets at an average of 24.56.