Pakistan Born Imran Tahir May Play 3rd Test

Cape Town: Finally, Pakistan-born leg spinner Imran Tahir can play for South Africa. His eligibility was confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola on Friday.

Majola was reported as saying, "Imran Tahir, the former Pakistan A leg spinner, is now fully eligible to play cricket for South Africa following the decision by the South African government to grant him permanent residency."

Tahir has been given a 'certificate of naturalisation' by the department of home affairs. Now, there is a strong possibility that Tahir may be included in the squad for the crucial third Test which begins on Sunday. He is certain to be named in the ODI team for the five-match series beginning January 12 in Durban.

Tahir 'qualified' to play for South Africa on April 1, 2009 by marrying a local woman and was even named in the squad for Test against England in Jan 2010. But since his permanent residency papers were not in order, he had to be taken out of the squad in January.

As per regulations, he became eligible in December. Tahir has played for almost 10 teams since his first-class debut in 1996-97. He has turned out for Warwickshire, Middlesex, Yorkshire and Hampshire in England and is playing for the Dolphins in SA at the moment.

He has a very impressive first class record with 535 wickets in 127 games at an average of 25. Majola was reported as saying, "He also qualifies in terms of the ICC regulations to be eligible to play for South Africa after his five-year break between last playing for Pakistan A and playing in South Africa for this period."

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs India - 4th T20I 2nd T20I - Australia v Pakistan - November 16, 08:00 GMT 4th T20I - West Indies v England - November 16, 20:00 GMT 3rd T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia England won by 3 wickets (with 4 balls remaining) 1st T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Brisbane Australia won by 29 runs

Kohli, Yusuf Shine With Bat in ODI Series [+]

Kohli and Pathan turned out to be the star for India in the batting department in the five-match ODI series against South Africa which they lost 2-3.

Series a Lesson for Batsmen Before WC - Dhoni [+]

After losing the closely-fought ODI series 2-3 to South Africa, Indian captain MS Dhoni said it was a "disappointing" performance by the batsmen.

South Africa Win Series Despite Yusuf Ton [+]

Yusuf Pathan hit a 68-ball century but Morne Morkel took four wickets as South Africa won the ODI series 3-2 by beating India by 33 runs by the D/L method in the fifth ODI at Centurion.

India, South Africa Eyes Finished With Win Before WC [+]

With the series tantalizingly poised at 2-2, India will have to quickly regroup and sort out their batting woes as they go into the fifth and final one-dayer on Sunday against the Proteas, hoping to register their first-ever series triumph on SA Soil.

South Africa Level Series Despite Kohli Fireworks [+]

Virat Kohli struck a sparkling 87 not out and had a hand in three dismissals but couldn't stop South Africa from winning the fourth one-day international against India at St George's Park on Friday.

South Africa Opt to Bat Against India at St George's Park [+]

South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat against India in the fourth one-dayer at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Dhoni Injured But Likely to Play Crucial Match [+]

Under MS Dhoni and Gary Kirsten, the Indian cricket team has achieved many firsts, in all forms of the game. It is now on the cusp of another - first-ever ODI series win in South Africa.

India Look to First Series Victory in South Africa [+]

Having gained a 2-1 lead after registering back-to-back victories in the last two games against the Proteas, India go into the fourth one-dayer on Friday seeking to clinch their first-ever ODI series triumph on South African soil.

Graeme Smith Hails Explosive Pathan [+]

Graeme Smith on Tuesday said that Yusuf Pathan's breezy innings ruined the day for his side in the third cricket one-dayer against India.

Pathan Powers India to Thriller Win, Lead 2-1 [+]

A burst of powerful hitting by Yusuf Pathan spurred India to a thrilling two-wicket win in the third ODI against SA at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.