Christo Buchner

Johannesburg – South Africa’s secret cricket weapon will become available for the national team on April Fools Day next year.

Imran Tahir, a 29-year-old legbreak bowler who has played for Pakistan A, will be, theoretically, available to play for South Africa against Australia on April 3.

Tahir, who was born in Lahore, is married to a South African woman. He says he will be ready for action if he is selected for South Africa.

“This (South Africa) is now my country,” he said here on Tuesday. “I’ll be available for South Africa on April 1.”

It will be exactly four years after he last played for Pakistan A.

“My biggest ambition, ever since I was a boy in Pakistan, has been to play cricket at the highest level. If I can do so for South Africa, I’ll give everything. I am a South African now and this is where my loyalty lies,” he said.

Tahir has set tongues wagging with his ability to bowl a googly that batsmen find hard to read. It is no secret that Proteas coach Mickey Arthur is eager to bring him into the national setup.

“I have learnt that patience is important; patience when you bowl and also in how you handle life,” he said.

“I enjoy a challenge and it will be a huge challenge to try to get into my new country’s team. I realise, therefore, that much attention will be focussed on me when I play for the Titans in the domestic season. I will have to perform. But I believe in my ability. That’s why I don’t back away from any challenge.

“I still have a number of years of good cricket in me. The support I receive from my family and friends also help a lot. I believe one should work hard to get what you want. After I was selected for Pakistan’s Under-19 team, I bowled on my own for three hours a day. That’s where my accuracy comes from,” he explained.