Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi (born 18 February 1990) is a South African professional cricketer. He made his international debut in June 2016 in the Caribbean. He is widely regarded as one of the best in T20 cricket, with him being the highest wicket taker in T20 history for South Africa. Quotes I actually began my career as a fast bowler. I thought I was a fast bowler, but I really wasn't fast enough (laughs). So, up until I was 14, I bowled left-arm medium pace. Later, when I was in high school, my coaches at the Under-14 level said I wasn't fast enough, and because I used to bowl a bit of spin as well, they suggested I become a spin bowler. One coach suggested I become a left-arm orthodox spinner and the other wanted me to become a left-arm wristspinner. The coach who asked me to bowl left-arm orthodox said it's much easier to control and bowl fingerspin, as opposed to wristspin. I always want to fight - that's my personality. So I asked myself, why should I take the easier option? I wanted to be that guy who does the hard stuff. Wristspin was tougher to control and I had it in me to work harder to turn into a left-arm wristspinner. It was very pleasing for me, personally. It was nice to see that I did well in conditions that didn't suit my style of bowling. The World Cup is coming up in England next year and the pitches don't really spin much there as well. Being the top wicket-taker [in the domestic competitions] has given me so much confidence. And recently in Dambulla, I felt the pitch was like a Wanderers wicket, but I still got four wickets. I always want to fight - that's my personality. I asked myself, why should I take the easier option? I wanted to be that guy who does the hard stuff Bowling to Dhoni was one of the defining moments in my life. I was just an uncapped player from South Africa who had joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement player. On the eve of the match I did not even know whether I would be in the XI. I had not played international cricket in 2016 and suddenly I was up against the greatest finisher the game has seen - in my opinion. Maybe at the death, other bowlers are trying to contain the batsman as opposed to taking wickets. But I usually think wickets, and and if you take wickets at the death, you won't let the opposition score much either. Batsmen are under pressure to hit sixes and that's when your variations come into play. So I see bowling in the death as a wicket-taking opportunity I thought I was bowling well and he could not put me away. Here was a young kid who was bowling to the best finisher and handling the situation well. I didn't feel like I was out of place or out of depth and that gave me a lot of belief. There is so much pressure in cricket these days. Every time you walk onto the field, you are scrutinised, and people often forget we are humans and make There will be days when you get it wrong. There's never a player without a bad patch, but the CPL is a tournament where you enjoy yourself. For me, when I'm enjoying myself, that's the time I'm bowling at my best. Most of us didn't start playing cricket with the aim of becoming a professional. I started playing because as a kid I wanted to have fun. After beginning to like the game, we make an effort to progress, and because of all the pressure, you forget to have fun. Celebrating is my way of having fun. I play the game because I love it and always want to have fun. No matter who you are, this game will come to an end for you as a player. People spend hard-earned money to come and see me play, so I want to entertain them and give them a little bit more . If I put smiles on some faces with these celebrations, I'll be pleased. Some people take it the wrong way, but my intentions are always good. Carlos, Rahul and Virat are good friends of mine. Sometimes the guys come up to me in the change room and tell me they want to do the celebrations with me. I say: "Sure, let's do this., I want to entertain. Watch this space, maybe a new celebration is coming up in the CPL playoffs this year. I don't want cricket to be a nine-to-five job',September 2018,CRICINFO by Deivarayan Muthu External Links Category:1990 births Category:Cricketers from South Africa Category:Living people