Tabraiz Shamsi eyes Babar Azam challenge, stresses national pride over leagues

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has set his sights on competing against Pakistan’s batting maestro, Babar Azam, in the upcoming series.

Shamsi revealed his plan to formulate a strategy against the prolific batter by consulting with analysts. Despite opting out of a central contract with the South African Cricket Board to play freelance cricket, the left-arm spinner emphasized that no franchise league could ever surpass the honor of representing his country.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, he stated6, “I haven’t yet devised a specific plan to dismiss Babar Azam, as my focus has been on the tournament in Guyana. However, having faced him before, I have an idea of what to do. He’s a great player, and upon returning, I’ll sit with the analysts to develop plans that will benefit the team,” he said.

The spinner clarified his decision to forego a national contract, stating, “It was a personal choice made for various reasons, but representing South Africa has always been my top priority. Even while declining the contract, I made it clear that I’d always be available for the national team whenever needed. Playing for my country is the most significant honor, and no franchise cricket can surpass that. My goal in every match is to contribute to the team’s success, whether through my bowling or batting” he added.  

Shamsi dismissed the notion that spinners have become less effective in the T20 era, asserting their continued importance in modern cricket. “When T20 cricket began, people thought it would mark the decline of spinners, but the opposite happened. Slow bowlers have always been pivotal to their teams’ success. While powerplays and field restrictions can sometimes make it seem like the game favors batters, spinners have the ability to turn matches in their teams’ favor with strategic planning,” he explained.

Active on social media, Shamsi expressed displeasure over online criticism targeting players. “People often feel it’s acceptable to criticize players online, but it shouldn’t happen. Through my tweets, I’ve tried to clear any misunderstandings, reiterating that I am always available for South Africa,” he stated.

Shamsi’s unique “shoe celebration” has gained popularity among fans, but an unfortunate incident occurred recently when an Under-19 player injured himself while mimicking it. Commenting on this, Shamsi said, “It was an unfortunate event, and I hope he recovers quickly to return to the field” said Shamsi. 

The spinner dismissed claims that the rise of T20 cricket has diminished the significance of ODIs. “Winning the ODI World Cup remains more important than the T20 mega event. Representing your country, regardless of the format—Test, ODI, or T20—will always be significant. Players must focus on delivering their best whenever they get the opportunity,” he said, naming South Africa as favorites for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Shamsi also reflected on his experience representing Lahore Qalandars in the Global T20 League, describing it as “memorable.” “Being part of a major franchise from Pakistan was an incredible experience. Lahore Qalandars have a professional setup and have won the PSL twice. Playing for them was an honor,” he added. Shamsi, who also represented Karachi Kings in the PSL, described his overall experience of playing in Pakistan as positive, though he admitted their performances did not always yield desired results.

Shamsi praised former Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, calling him an exemplary player. “It’s hard to pick one, but Saeed Ajmal was truly inspirational. I studied his bowling closely. His ability to spin the ball both ways was exceptional, and our styles are quite similar. I’ve also admired Brad Hogg’s bowling,” he noted.

Reflecting on South Africa’s loss in the T20 World Cup final, Shamsi described it as a painful moment but stressed the importance of looking ahead. “Losing the final was heartbreaking, especially since we came so close to winning. But we cannot change the past. Our focus is now on the future and working on overcoming our weaknesses,” he concluded.