Tabraiz Shamsi isnโt just your typical left-arm wrist spinnerโheโs a personality. Whether heโs celebrating wickets with his signature theatrics or engaging with fans online, Shamsi knows how to keep things exciting.
And as South Africa gears up for their white-ball and red-ball series against Pakistan starting December 10, Shamsi has his eyes on a key target: Babar Azam.
When asked about his strategy to dismiss the worldโs No.1 ODI batter, Shamsi was refreshingly candid. โI havenโt yet devised a specific plan for Babar [Azam],โ he said, adding that his recent focus was on a tournament in Guyana.
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But donโt mistake this for complacency. Shamsi is no stranger to Babarโs brilliance. โHaving faced him before, I have an idea of what to do. Heโs a great player. When I return, Iโll sit with analysts to prepare plans that help my team.โ
Recently, Shamsi made headlines for turning down a central contract from the South African Cricket Board. Many speculated if this meant a shift toward franchise cricket. Not quite. For Shamsi, representing South Africa remains his top priority. โPlaying for my country is the greatest honor. No franchise cricket can surpass that.โ
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He clarified that his decision to decline the contract was personal and emphasized his availability for national duties. โMy goal in every match is to contribute, whether through my bowling or batting.โ
When asked about his inspirations, Shamsi didnโt hesitate to name Saeed Ajmal. โHis ability to spin the ball both ways was exceptional. Our styles are quite similar, and I studied his bowling closely.โ He also admired Brad Hogg for his unique style.
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