Imran Tahir’s compelling journey is a lesson to anyone on how you should never give up on your dreams. He chats to Khalid Mohidin in an exclusive interview.

What an honour and a Privilege. This was the first time that I got to see Imran Tahir during a training session and also the first time I got the opportunity to chat with him.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants had a training session at Newlands ahead of their second last fixture before the playoffs. For a team sitting top of the table, the day before a crucial match, in the scorching, the coaches, team management and players were very accommodating and friendly with me throughout the session.

It was an experience that I’d never forget. 

Usually, when you meet your heroes you can be very disappointed, but with Tahir I found myself liking him even more. It wasn’t just the interview with me, it was witnessing how he unselfishly helped and passed down his wisdom to everyone that he could, while still completing his practice session.

He even stayed after training to give advice and teach some young up and coming spinners a trick or two. 

Mind you, it was 33 degrees – weather that can easily change one’s mood, especially if you have to train in it, just moments after a 1 and a half hour flight – I’ve seen some well-known professionals be edgy under a lot less uncomfortable circumstances. 

I must say, I was completely humbled by the entire experience. 

Many won’t know about Tahir’s struggle on his journey to the top – from working as a retail salesman at Lahore’s Pace Shopping Mall to his transition into the Proteas setup.

South African cricket should be grateful that they have Tahir in their system and so too the South African public, who have witnessed him grow into one of the greatest spinners of all-time.

See the full interview: