Cape Town - Proteas T20 skipper Faf du Plessis says that Imran Tahir is one of the reasons why the Proteas are so successful in the shortened format of the game.
Tahir took career-best figures of 5/24, as the Proteas thrashed the Black Caps by 78 runs in their lone T20I at Eden Park on Friday.
Du Plessis praised the entire Proteas bowling attack for bundling out the home side for 107 in under 15 overs, with special emphasis placed for man-of-the-match Tahir.
"He is the big reason we're been successful over the last few months," Tahir told reporters after the match.
"He's just so consistent and as a captain that's a massive weapon.
"Even if teams get off to a really good start, the chances of him coming on and doing well is very high.
"He's not bowling a lot of bad balls anymore and he puts a lot of pressure on the opposition with his variety of skill."
Tahir achieved a significant T20I milestone as he became the second quickest bowler to take 50 wickets (in 31 games), after Ajantha Mendis took his in 26 T20Is.
A five-match ODI series between the two teams begins in Hamilton on Sunday (03:00 SA time).