Imran Tahir compliments legendary Qadir for his guidance

KARACHI: South African leg spinner Imran Tahir has complimented Pakistan spin legend Abdul Qadir for developing his bowling armory.

Great Qadir has always been my ideal and his support and gudiance helped me in improving my bowling skills he told a private television channel on Sunday night while on a short trip to Lahore.

He said Abdul Qadir was greatly responsible behind improving his googly flipper and leg break.

I always admire Qadir and learnt a lot from him Lahore born Imran Tahir who migrated to South Africa about a decade ago commented.

Imran Tahir said his South African wife Sumayya was behind his success and motivated him in difficult times during career.

Imran Tahir career was over when he conceded a world record 260 runs in both innings against Australia at Adelaide which was worst ever bowling in Test match cricket.

After nightmarish 0 180 in first innings Imran s second figures were
0-80. He thus beat the record of Pakistan fast bowler Khan Muhammad record 0 259 against West Indies in 1958.

My wife played a vital role in motivating me after such a disastrous performance he recalled.

Imran Tahir since making his first class debut in 1996-97 has played for ten teams from Lahore to Yorkshire via the Titans in South Africa.

He has had stints with three English counties Middlesex, Yorkshire and Hampshire who he signed for in 2008.

He said there were lesser opportunities in Pakistan when I decided to go to England before migrating to South Africa.

Being a professional I always enjoying performing even against country of my birth he said.

He said the sponsor of South African team Castle Lagar Bear do not deduct any money from their contract after he decided not wear their logo along with Wayne Parnell (Now Waleed Parnell) and Hashim after.

He said they don ts face any problem and pressure from any quarters after turning to religion.

Imran Tahir got tremendous tarck record having taken 711 wickets in 174 first class games besides collecting 43 wickets in 16 Test matches 70 in 38 ODIs and 25 in 16 T20 Internationals. (APP)