"I have always wanted to test myself against the best batsmen in the world" : Tabraiz Shamsi

[MenInG]

Ranked as the number one bowler in ICC's T20I rankings, Tabraiz Shamsi has established himself as South Africa's premier spin bowler in the white-ball format. With 64 international wickets, Shamsi is fast proving to be a worthy successor to the position left vacant by the retirement of Imran Tahir.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net, Shamsi spoke about starting his cricket life as a fast-bowler and progressing to become an international spinner, his ambitions to play more Test cricket, his famous wicket-taking celebration, the influence of Imran Tahir on his bowling and South Africa's chances at the upcoming T20 World Cup.

PakPassion.net: Did you always want to be a left-arm spinner?

Tabraiz Shamsi: No, I used to be a left-arm fast bowler, or at least I thought I was fast, but in reality, I wasn’t very quick. At High School trials I was told by the coaches that I wasn’t quick enough to be a fast-bowler and that maybe I should try bowling spin, so I took on-board the advice and started bowling spin when I was 14.


PakPassion.net: Your bowling action is a little unorthodox. Is that something you developed yourself or was it an action developed with the coaches you worked with?

Tabraiz Shamsi: It has to do with the fact that I was a seamer before and that’s why my run-up is a little bit longer than most spinners. It’s an action that comes naturally to me and it’s not something that I have worked on. I don’t like to think too technically about my bowling because I feel that it puts too many different thoughts in my head, so I just like to work with whatever comes naturally to me.


PakPassion.net: You didn’t make your international debut until 2016 when you were 26 and 7 years after your First-class debut. Was that due to you being a late developer or the competition for places?

Tabraiz Shamsi: There were other guys ahead of me in international cricket and for me to even get first-team domestic cricket was difficult so I was playing mostly second-team cricket and playing the odd game for the first team. I don’t really know why, as it wasn’t anything to do with performances because I was regularly amongst the top bowlers in the country. But there are some things you can’t explain and now looking back I actually feel glad that I had those experiences, because it actually taught me how to fight through situations and learn about going through tough times. I feel that if a player’s journey has been smooth through the age-group levels and everything happens quickly and easily then maybe you don’t know how to fight through a setback and come back from it.


PakPassion.net: Who have been the biggest influences on your career?

Tabraiz Shamsi: Someone who I speak to quite often is Imran Tahir. In fact, just before this interview Imran and I were sending each other messages and speaking about bowling. He was the one keeping me out of the national side, as for the first 3 or 4 years of my international career I was mostly on the bench while Imran was playing, but we developed a very good relationship, and he is like an elder brother to me. Now we are at a stage where it’s not just one-way traffic and he messages me to find out what I think about his bowling. We help each other out because as spin bowlers we can see things about our bowling that others might not be able to spot, and we have that trust between us. In terms of spin-bowlers he has had a big influence on me and my career.

As for coaches, my school coach Cyril Mitchley, the son of the umpire of the same name, backed me and gave me opportunities to flourish. In terms of First-class cricket, Grant Morgan who is currently working for Cricket Scotland, he was the coach when I made my First-class debut and was my coach at the Under-19 level and he gave me my first break. When I wasn’t able to get a chance for the first team, he phoned up the coach at The Titans to say that I was ready to play first-team cricket and needed an opportunity. He had a massive role to play in terms of my career as he was the first coach who really backed me. As a young player you need that sort of support, and he actually had more faith in my ability than I did. Sometimes he would speak with me and I would think what is he speaking about, because I am not as good as he is saying I am.

Later on, I played a couple of seasons under Eric Simons in the Caribbean Premier League and I picked up a few things from him regarding the way he thought about the game and he really backed me and appreciated what I brought to the table.


PakPassion.net: How has South African domestic cricket changed over the 12 years you have been a part of it?

Tabraiz Shamsi: In the last 3 to 4 years I’ve not played a lot of domestic cricket because I have been travelling with the national team. But for me it’s always been great and a good challenge. I feel like we are in a good space at the moment. Our national teams are going through a transition and people who are outside of the cricketing circle might not just understand that if you take out the best 5 or 6 players of any team it will take time for the new guys to come in and find their feet. We are comfortable where we are at because we know that the type of players we have - all we need now is just a little bit of time to play together.

PakPassion.net: You are currently ranked number 1 in the ICC T20I bowling rankings. That is quite some achievement, isn’t it?

Tabraiz Shamsi: It’s not something that I actively looked for. To be honest I just wanted to play regularly for my national team and for the first 3 or 4 years of my international career I just played the occasional game here and there because Imran Tahir was around. In 2019 because it was a World Cup year, I started to get more opportunities in the T20 format because we were playing our regular team in the 50-over matches and playing the back-up players in the T20 format to give us experience and that’s where it started. All I wanted to do was to play, bowl and be the best bowler on the day and that’s how I try and play every single game and slowly I started climbing up the rankings. It wasn’t until we played England before Covid-19 caused havoc when I broke into the top 10 that I realised that the small things I had been working on and doing were actually paying-off.

To be ranked number one isn’t something that I look too deeply into, but it is definitely something that feels nice. Next week I might drop down the rankings so it’s not something that I am too fussed about, but it does feel nice to be classified in that bracket and it’s something that I wanted when I started playing cricket regularly. It was one of my goals to be in the conversation when people spoke about the world’s best current spin-bowlers currently and I wanted to be a part of that group. I’m happy that things have worked out and I just try to win games for my team and do my best on the day.


PakPassion.net: You’ve played in various Twenty20 leagues around the world, but is this an area that you would like to explore further by playing in leagues such as the Pakistan Super League?

Tabraiz Shamsi: Yes definitely. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in the Caribbean Premier League and it was after I went to the CPL and did well that domestic teams in South Africa started to take me seriously and giving me regular game time and then I got picked for the national team after playing CPL and IPL.

I find that it has helped my game quite a lot playing in the CPL, IPL and English County Cricket. People see it as a money thing and say that the players are participating in these tournaments for greed. Personally speaking, of course you do earn a bit of money but what is most important are the things that you learn from the people who are not really in your circle. So, you are hearing different chats from West Indian players or Indian players and you are learning about the different ways people think about the game and train. You pick up the small things like that and I think that sort of exposure has really accelerated my growth as a spin-bowler.

PakPassion.net: You’ve only played 2 Test matches, is that a number that you want to improve upon?

Tabraiz Shamsi: Definitely, that was always the plan. In fact, when I was coming up the ranks I was more of a red-ball bowler. And to be honest, I didn’t give much credence to such terms as red-ball bowler or white-ball bowler as it just happened that when I was younger I got more red ball games at the franchise level so I did well in those and then when I moved franchise and I came to the Titans I couldn’t get a red-ball game as they had a regular spinner and I played more white-ball cricket there.

Hopefully, I can add to the number of Test caps, but that’s the way things have come up and there was a point where Keshav Maharaj and I were both at the Dolphins and he was playing white-ball matches and I was playing the red-ball matches and now we are playing for the national team in the opposite formats. Sometimes it’s what the team needs at that time and what a certain coach thinks of you at that point, and you get boxed-in like that. For me Test cricket hasn’t fallen-off the radar and 2 Test matches in about 5 years is definitely not enough time to be able to show what you can do.


PakPassion.net: How much planning and preparation is needed before bowling to someone like Babar Azam?

Tabraiz Shamsi: Babar Azam is a quality batsman. I didn’t get him out in this series but that isn’t always the end goal and doesn’t necessarily mean that you were unsuccessful. There’s a lot of planning that goes into it and I don’t tend to worry about technical aspects of bowling because I feel that my body will just tell me how to get the ball wherever I want it to go if I have been practising enough. I do like to watch a lot of footage and I do like to plan a lot and to bowl a lot in the nets. I work with the video analysts and sit down and try to work batsmen out and see where most likely you will get success against them and to prevent them scoring runs against you. A lot of the work gets done behind the scenes and that’s something I enjoy.


PakPassion.net: How did you feel about your best players leaving for the IPL half-way through the series against Pakistan?

Tabraiz Shamsi: It is what it is, and you just have to get on with the job. The team that was selected consisted of players who have done well in domestic cricket and they are very good players. It was a good opportunity for us to give more experience to other guys and if you look at our T20 team we are relatively inexperienced including myself. It was a nice challenge because Pakistan is a very strong team and they obviously brought their full-strength team and had three guys at the top of the order who were on fire and I don’t think I have ever been a part of a series where the top opposition batsmen have been in form at the same time and basically performing every single game or have 2 out of the 3 performing in every single game. It was a nice challenge, obviously the results weren’t what we wanted but in terms of experience such series can teach you a lot as well.


PakPassion.net: Were you not tempted like some of your former team-mates to go down the Kolpak route?

Tabraiz Shamsi: No, not really. I always wanted to play for South Africa. I love playing cricket in England and have been fortunate enough to have played for Northamptonshire and Hampshire, but the Kolpak route never really interested me as I still want to play for my country and still want to help my country win a World Cup and climb up the rankings. I have always wanted to test myself against the best batsmen in the world and try to get all the best batsmen of my generation out. Those are the kind of goals that I still have so that’s why Kolpak didn’t interest me at all.


PakPassion.net: How does the thought of AB de Villiers making a comeback to the national team sound?

Tabraiz Shamsi: AB is a world-class player and he walks into any team and that’s how good he is, it doesn’t matter whether it’s England or Australia or South Africa. I don’t know what AB’s situation is, it all depends on how he feels and how the coach feels and the selectors too. But, let’s be honest, a player like that is hard to ignore.


PakPassion.net: You toured Pakistan earlier this year, how was the experience?

Tabraiz Shamsi: Well we were in 3 cities and I saw three different hotels and three different hotel rooms and that’s pretty much it. I would have loved to have seen a lot more of the country but the tour itself was nicely organised. I have always had small aspirations and goals and one of them was to play in the best stadiums in each country, like the MCG, Newlands, Lord’s. For me, Lahore and Karachi also hold that sort of prestige in the world game. Unfortunately, I missed out in a Test match in Karachi due to injury, but it was nice to play in Lahore during the tour.

PakPassion.net: Tell us a bit more about your wicket-taking celebration?

Tabraiz Shamsi: I don’t want to act like a robot in the field. The whole thing behind my celebration is that I started playing cricket because I enjoy playing the great game. Then this thing became a job as I started climbing up the levels and started earning money from it and it became professional. Then you play for your country and it becomes even more serious because you are representing your nation. I just want to enjoy myself. At the end of the day, we are all going to retire at one stage so I know time is limited and my celebration is fine as long as it isn’t disrespectful to batsmen which they never are and it’s just me enjoying myself and having fun on the field and enjoying the fact that I have taken a wicket.

Some people might think taking a wicket is easy, but every single wicket you have to work hard for, so I want to enjoy that and enjoy myself as long as I play cricket and have some memories once I’m done with playing. I just feel that the celebration helps me get rid of a bit of pressure because there is a lot of pressure when you are playing, and it help me just switch-off for a few seconds before I have bowl to the next batsman. The game needs a bit more fun as everyone is trying to be boxed-in and this is just who I am. I like to have fun and I like to make my team-mates laugh and put some happiness and smiles on people’s faces. There are people who don’t like the celebration, but then there are people out there who love it, but you are not going to be able to make everyone happy and I’m comfortable with that.


PakPassion.net: How do you rate South Africa’s chances at this year’s T20 World Cup?

Tabraiz Shamsi: I think our chances are very good. We have an inexperienced team at the international level, but the guys have played a lot of cricket itself. We just need more time to gel and learn about each other’s game a bit more and get settled into our roles, but if all of our players are available then we are no lesser team than any other when you compare the squads.

[Hasan123]

A good interview.

[ChTab]

I hate his celebration probably the worst celebration ever.
But he's a good bowler & a good human being, good luck to him for his future.

[Last Monetarist]

I'm surprised to learn that Maharaj was designated as the specialist white ball bowler by the Dolphins and Shamsi was preferred in four-day cricket. Funny how roles can reverse in international cricket.

[WhenSultansBowled]

He is a quality bowler. Seems like both Kuldeep and Shamsi wanted to bowl left arm fast!

Looking forward to his performance in World T20. I got a feeling he will be a key player if SA manage to lift the trophy!

[Ab Fan]

He is no.1 ranked T20 bowler?? Is he really that good?

[MenInG]

He is no.1 ranked T20 bowler?? Is he really that good?

He didnt become number one overnight - he has been performing consistently.

[Saj]

He's worked hard to get to where he is now and that's always good to see, rather than someone who has had it easy and been picked wherever he has played.

He's had to work hard and be patient to get into domestic teams and then also into the South Africa national team and he deserves credit for that.

Good bowler this guy.

Incidentally PSL teams wanted to pick him, but he's not played due to availability issues.

[OMB]

I Didn’t Get Babar Azam Out In This Series But That Isn’t Always The End Goal: Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa‘s spin-bowler, Tabraiz Shamsi, was all praises for Babar Azam, who ushered Pakistan to ODI and T20 series victories in the rainbow nation recently. Babar Azam was one of the significant performers in Pakistan’s successful white-ball tour of South Africa. But Tabraiz Shamsi asserted that despite not dismissing the Pakistan captain, does not mean he was not successful.

Tabraiz Shamsi, the number-one ranked T20 bowler, did not enjoy an enormous amount of success against Pakistan in the recently-concluded series. The 31-year old managed only one wicket in the two ODIs he played and four scalps in as many T20Is. While Pakistan’s middle-order often crumbled under pressure, the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did enough to secure a series win by batting well at the top.

Tabraiz Shamsi underlined that Babar Azam is a top-notch batsman and asserted that having not had his wicket does not make him unsuccessful. Shamsi conceded that there’s plenty of planning that goes into it without worrying about the technical aspects of bowling and his body allows him to bowl wherever he wants to.

“Babar Azam is a quality batsman. I didn’t get him out in this series but that isn’t always the end goal and doesn’t necessarily mean that you were unsuccessful. There’s a lot of planning that goes into it and I don’t tend to worry about technical aspects of bowling because I feel that my body will just tell me how to get the ball wherever I want it to go if I have been practising enough,” Shamsi told PakPassion.net.

Tabraiz Shamsi conceded he likes to see plenty of footages and plan out with the video analysts to work batsmen out, assessing methods of success against them. The 31-year old enjoys the work that goes on behind the scenes to get the better of the best batters.

“I do like to watch a lot of footage and I do like to plan a lot and to bowl a lot in the nets. I work with the video analysts and sit down and try to work batsmen out and see where most likely you will get success against them and to prevent them scoring runs against you. A lot of the work gets done behind the scenes and that’s something I enjoy,” he added.

https://cricketaddictor.com/cricket-...abraiz-shamsi/

[MenInG]

Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, despite his own success, has pleaded for patience with the struggling national team. The 31-year-old points out that South Africa were always going to have a hard time replacing the raft of stalwarts that retired recently. He says his ranking accolade is nothing but a bonus as all he wants to do is perform consistently for his country.

Tabraiz Shamsi might be riding a wave of personal success at the moment, but pleads for patience when it comes to the struggling Proteas he represents. Recently installed as the number one-ranked bowler in T20 Internationals, the 31-year-old left-arm wrist spinner has seen his stock soar, in stark contrast to the national team.

The passionate Shamsi, however, believes the side is, to a large extent, copping unfair criticism for inconsistent performances over the past two years, primarily because of a rash of retirements of senior players such as AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel, Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander. "I feel like we are in a good space at the moment," he told specialist Pakistani website PakPassion.net.

"Our national teams are going through a transition and people who are outside of the cricketing circle might not just understand that if you take out the best five or six players of any team it will take time for the new guys to come in and find their feet. "We are comfortable where we are at because we know that the type of players we have - all we need now is just a little bit of time to play together." Ironically, Shamsi has been one of the few previous fringe players in the Proteas setup to have truly grabbed the opportunity of more game-time, a factor he cites as arguably the main reason why he's become so effective in the shortest form of the game. The bonus of a prestigious ranking though is exactly what it is ... a bonus.

"It's not something that I actively looked for. To be honest I just wanted to play regularly for my national team and for the first three or four years of my international career, I just played the occasional game here and there because Imran Tahir was around," said Shamsi. "In 2019 because it was a World Cup year, I started to get more opportunities in the T20 format because we were playing our regular team in the 50-over matches and playing the back-up players in the T20 format to give us experience and that's where it started.

"All I wanted to do was to play, bowl and be the best bowler on the day and that’s how I try and play every single game and slowly I started climbing up the rankings. It wasn’t until we played England before Covid-19 caused havoc when I broke into the top 10 that I realised that the small things I had been working on and doing were actually paying off." Given how he had to help carry an inexperienced South African attack in the latter stages of last month's white-ball series against Pakistan, it's tempting to ask him whether there are some mixed feelings about the IPL now being postponed after team-mates like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje left midway through the Pakistani assignment.

"It is what it is, and you just have to get on with the job," said Shamsi. "The team that was selected consisted of players who have done well in domestic cricket and they are very good players. It was a good opportunity for us to give more experience to other guys and if you look at our T20 team we are relatively inexperienced including myself."

https://www.news24.com/sport/cricket...-time-20210505

[MenInG]

He may not have the profile of some of the top players in the world but the fact is that he is much better and a match-winner than all Pakistan spinners at the moment.

[KyoOne]

He may not have the profile of some of the top players in the world but the fact is that he is much better and a match-winner than all Pakistan spinners at the moment.

How do you know he's better than Zahid and Qadir, both new in international cricket but both outbowled him in T20 series Pakistan played Saffers this year.

[MenInG]

Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi wants to use the coming two-match Test series against the West Indies in Saint Lucia this month to finalise the unfinished business he has with red ball cricket.

The 31-year-old‚ who has established himself in the limited overs sides and is the number one ranked T20 bowler in the world at the moment‚ has only played two Tests against Australia and Sri Lanka between 2016 and 2018.

He is determined to change this statistic.

Shamsi is part of the strong Proteas spin department that is led by Keshav Maharaj in the Caribbean‚ and it includes George Linde and the uncapped Prenelan Subrayen.

“With regards to the Test team‚ I feel I have unfinished business there‚” said Shamsi‚ who was this week named as Cricket SA's T20 International Cricketer of the Year.

“I just have to wait for my turn and if given the opportunity‚ I am going to give it my all. Obviously I have not played that many matches in international red ball cricket‚ but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to play more.

“Maybe there is a surprise in store and if I do get a go‚ I will try to win the match for our country. That’s the only thing I think about when I am playing‚ so hopefully I can put in a few good performances and help the team win some games.”

The Proteas are also scheduled to play five T20s against the West Indies at the National Cricket Stadium at St George’s‚ Grenada between 26 June and 3 July and Shamsi says those matches are important for their preparations for the T20 World Cup later in the year.

“The upcoming T20 tour to the West Indies and Ireland is a great opportunity for us to put our squad together and play regularly in the build up to the World Cup. That is going to be quite nice because we have an extended squad that is traveling.

“It will be nice to play in the West Indies where all of their pitches are slow‚ but I don’t know what we are going to get in Saint Lucia.

"Generally that is one of the quicker wickets in the Caribbean‚ but it is going to be nice because the T20 World Cup is going to be on the sub-continent‚ even though we are not sure exactly where at the moment.

“It is going to be a nice challenge to play on different conditions and find game plans as a unit. It is also an opportunity to fine tune the little things in order to perfect the game plan.

"This whole season we have been playing in South Africa.

"It feels like we have just played against Pakistan alone because we have played so much. But this is a chance to play against a strong West Indies side in their own backyard.”

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/...abraiz-shamsi/

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi last 11 T20I bowling performances:

4-13-2
4-13-2
4-16-1
4-27-1
4-21-1
3-39-0
4-22-1
4-29-2
4-25-4
4-16-1
4-20-1#Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 2, 2021

[SangasCoverDrive]

Tbh I used to think he was another quota pick but he has proven me wrong. The best bowler in SA team right now.

[MenInG]

Remarks from Tabraiz Shamsi 1/11 in 4 overs and also Man of the Series vs West Indies:

I am someone who likes to do a lot of homework and watch footage. Not even in my wildest dreams did I think I'd have such a series. Credit to the full bowling group. There is a running joke in the team that the safest place to hit the ball is back at me (laughs).

After the first game we played, people were calling for 5-0. We are very inexperienced, but that doesn't mean there is a lack of skill. To beat a team such as WI, one of the World Cup favourites is special. It is just about being strong and be prepared to be hit for sixes.

There will be opportunities coming with that. Linde has been working hard too, full credit to him, he has been working really hard. Our best performance was in the finals, and that's what experience brings.

[sam_ahm]

Sensational stuff from Shamsi. Man of the series as well.

[Saj]

Tabraiz Shamsi last 12 T20Is:

Overs 47
Runs conceded 252
Wickets 17
Economy-rate 5.36
Average 14.82

Incredible numbers.

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi takes 4-27 vs Ireland - brilliant!

[MenInG]

Sterling effort by Tabraiz Shamsi in his side's 67 runs (DLS) win against Sri Lanka - taken 5/49 in 7.4 overs

[Last Monetarist]

In a rain-shortened game, he relished trying out his variations as the Sri Lankan batsmen were forced to attack.

[sharmaji]

Shamsi stars against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup

30 Oct, 2021: David Miller and Kagiso Rabada may grab the headlines for their firepower partnership which took South Africa to a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Tabraiz Shamsi.

The wrist spinner took 3-17 to restrict Sri Lanka to 142 all out before Miller and Rabada saved South Africa in a tense finish to keep their hopes alive.

Shamsi is known for his exuberant celebrations and those were evident again today, although this time they weren’t quite as creative as using his shoe as a phone for which he gained notoriety in 2019.

The Johannesburg native’s first wicket came in his second over, getting Bhanuka Rajapaksa caught and bowled for a duck.

In celebration, Shamsi wheeled off and was followed by his teammates, the sheer jubilation and relief clearly etched on his face.

With good reason, he had reduced Sri Lanka for 62-3 as the halfway mark of their innings approached.

Perhaps worn out by his earlier sprint, Shamsi’s celebration of his second wicket was a bit less dynamic.

It came as Avishka Fernando followed the blueprint Rajapaksa had left for him, batting the ball back to Shamsi who gleefully took the catch.

Having turned to run, he sunk to his knees before being engulfed by his teammates, this time his face showed the effort and determination he was putting into every ball as he looked to deliver once again for his country.

Speaking after the match, Shamsi said: “I'm just happy to be playing cricket, I've picked up a little bit of a niggle as well before before the comp started...so I'm just really happy to be out there.

“I want to personally try and contribute as much as I can every game and my previous game wasn't as good as I wanted and just working with a bit of a niggle, I really wanted to do something special for the bowling unit.”

For his final wicket, Shamsi got one over on someone who he may be building a budding rivalry with.

Wanindu Hasaranga had to go after holing out to the diving Aiden Markram at long-on as Shamsi took his 32nd T20I wicket of the year.

That is the most of any bowler playing in T20Is, while Hasaranga is hot on his coattails with 31 having taken a hat-trick in a losing cause today.

That isn’t the only leaderboard Shamsi tops, he is also the world number T20I bowler according to the ICC MRF Tyres Rankings, again ahead of Hasaranga.

However, he admits it isn’t all about personal achievements: “It's been quite nice, obviously, you don't go out there looking for personal achievements,” Shamsi said

“If it comes along the way that's quite nice, but the amazing thing about our bowling unit is that it's not a one-man show.

“As we've seen in the games leading up to it, there's different guys putting their hands up, and I'm just one member of that unit”

“I'm happy with the accolades and stuff if it comes along the way, I'm not going to say that I'm not happy about it, but we are all trying our best.”

[MenInG]

I would have been but I've gotta prioritize SA Cricket and play the domestic T20 comp in South Africa

...would definitely love to play in the comp one day... hopefully next year �� https://t.co/vnszQzobDu

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) February 11, 2022

[Firebat]

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) would like to be among the first to congratulate Proteas spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, on reaching his 50th T20 international in the Proteas’ third of the five-match series against India today.

The 32-year-old made his debut in 2017 against England and has been a vital member of the team, even during his three years of waiting in the wings and touring with the team as Imran Tahir’s backup.

When he received his opportunity, he ensured it was not wasted and has been a valued member of the Proteas brand ever since, with 57 wickets and best bowling figures in an innings of 4/25 and an economy of 6.86 and average of 21.56.

CSA CEO, Mr Pholetsi Moseki said:

“It’s a proud day for all of us, celebrating one of South African cricket’s favourite characters. I use that word on purpose, because Tabraiz has shown strong character over the years, while being excellent in his wait in the wings and burst onto the scene with talent and a few magic tricks up his sleeve.

“The fact that Tabraiz is still the number one T20I Bowler in the MRF ICC Rankings speaks volumes about his hard work and contribution to the Proteas over this past season and we truly wish him all the best in today’s fixture against India, where he has already made us proud.

“May this be the start of many more seasons of entertainment and success for him.”

[MenInG]

Excellent work from Shamsi in the 3rd T20I - 3 wickets of Livingstone, Curran and Willey to put England under immense pressure.

[Deewana Mastana]

Despite always having a bulging belly and not getting his fitness down he always gets back in wickets.

A 5fer to get SA a series win against England today.

[MenInG]

And ends up with 5/24 in 4 overs!

Amazing performance!

Totally decimated England with his bowling today.

[MenInG]

5-24 today are Tabraiz Shamsi's best bowling figures in T20Is.

What an outstanding bowler he has been for South Africa:

Matches 54
Wickets 66
Economy-rate 7.05#ENGvSA #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) July 31, 2022

[MenInG]

5-24 today are Tabraiz Shamsi's best bowling figures in T20Is.

What an outstanding bowler he has been for South Africa:

Matches 54
Wickets 66
Economy-rate 7.05#ENGvSA #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) July 31, 2022

He has become the highest wicket-taker in T20s for SA

[Amjid Javed]

pretty much helped his team win 2 games and the series with the ball. very good white ball spinner.

[Saj]

Takes wickets, attacks and stems the flows of runs most of the time.

Superb stats, brilliant bowler.

[sweep_shot]

He is pretty underrated.

I think he is one of the best LOI spinners in the world currently.

[MenInG]

Adil Rashid had only 2 wickets up until this final

Played every game

Was assured of his place every game

Was backed every game

...now we can all see the result of that backing he received over the course of the tournament��

Might win them the WORLD CUP TROPHY with this spell

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) November 13, 2022

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi picked by Karachi Kings for PSL 8

[MenInG]

Long-awaited debut for Tabraiz today, Imad looking for a match-winner with the ball and Shamsi has all the credentials for that job.

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi "Mohammad Amir asked me to give him a call if I got any wickets" #PSL8 #KKvMS pic.twitter.com/rJ6tLeuAtc

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) February 26, 2023

[Rana]

Which South African players are going for national duty?

If Shamsi goes, that means Miller, Russouw and RVD has to go as well?

[MenInG]

Thanks a lot to @KarachiKingsARY for having me as part of the squad. I had a great first experience of the @thePSLt20

Time to head back home for country duty ���� pic.twitter.com/z2iIeI6Rwu

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) March 7, 2023

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi chats to Saj about his toughest opponent, PSL8 with Karachi Kings, what he’d change about cricket, the best thing about being an international cricketer, being in Pakistan for PSL8, who would he avoid in the nets out of Rabada and Nortje and more.

[MenInG]

Tabraiz Shamsi chats to Saj about his toughest opponent, PSL8 with Karachi Kings, what he’d change about cricket, the best thing about being an international cricketer, being in Pakistan for PSL8, who would he avoid in the nets out of Rabada and Nortje and more.

Who's the best player or Call of Duty apart from you?

Jeez, now I'm. I'm absolutely useless. I'm just there for the banter. I'm there for a good time and to make the boys laugh. Look, there's a lot of guys that are that are very, very good at it in the South African international team.

Vien Mulder, he's probably one of the best, yeah, he takes it quite seriously, but I know a couple of the English boys are very, very big on that.


==

So Tabraiz like

[MenInG]

Had a love chat about all different sorts of bits and pieces about me... thanks for your time @SajSadiqCricket https://t.co/TiDLvpODbK

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) May 5, 2023