'Last-minute' Pak series 'chance' for Tahir to prove himself on 'home soil': Report

The South African media has claimed that the hastily-arranged limited-overs series against Pakistan back in the Proteas' home grounds could be ideal for the side to gauge whether leg-spinner Imran Tahir can be effective at home soil as in subcontinent conditions.

According to Sport24, Cricket South Africa revealed a few days ago that Pakistan would help fill up the Proteas' home summer, left in tatters by the severe shortening of the Indian trip, by playing three ODIs as well as two Twenty20 internationals later this month.

Tahir has been something of a revelation in the ongoing series against the Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates, having been a key figure in South Africa's march to a 2-1 lead with two matches left on Friday (Abu Dhabi again) and Monday (Sharjah), the report said.

He jointly leads the wicket-taking department in the series, having grabbed eight scalps which places himself alongside Pakistan's own spin whizzes Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi after three contests on the dry and often gripping Emirates pitches, the report added.