Cape Town - Proteas leg spinner Imran Tahir has finished as the leading wicket taker in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The veteran's 2/23 in the tournament final for the Chennai Super Kings against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday may not have been enough to secure victory, but it was enough to see Tahir edge Proteas team-mate Kagiso Rabada to the top of the wickets charts.
Tahir finished the tournament with 26 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 16.57 and an economy rate 6.69.
Rabada, meanwhile, finished on 25 wickets from 12 matches at an average of 14.72 and an economy rate of 7.82.
Tahir also became the only player in the tournament's history to play in a final at the age of 40.
"Words are not enough to pass my sincere gratitude to all my brothers and sisters," Tahir tweeted after the match.
Tahir has announced that he will retire from ODI cricket at the end of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, which starts on May 30, but he has expressed his desire to continue playing franchise and international T20 cricket.
David Warner, meanwhile, finished as the tournament's highest run scorer with 692 at an average of 69.20 and at a strike rate of 143.86.
India's KL Rahul came in second with 593 while South Africa's Quinton de Kock was third with 529.
I dedicate this purple cap to all the true fans who supported me which inspired me to do well in every outing .I can humbly say it’s you who won the purple cap and not me.Words are not enough to pass my sincere gratitude to all my brothers and sisters.Humbled #yellove
— Imran Tahir (@ImranTahirSA) May 12, 2019