Tabraiz Shamsi likely to be picked for South Africa's Test team against New Zealand

South African left-arm chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi is in line to be selected for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand starting on August 19. Shamsi will probably be the most unorthodox South African spinner since Paul Adams if he is handed the Proteas cap in the upcoming series.

Paul Harris, a regular member of the South African setup from 2007-2011 and a Supersport pandit wants Shamsi to replace Dane Piedt in the playing XI for the upcoming series. The two test affair kicks off on August 19 with the 1st Test being played at Kingsmead, Durban followed by the 2nd Test at Shamsi’s home ground, the SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Harris in an interview on the Inside Edge chat show felt that Shamsi will give the much-needed balance and stability to the team in the bowling department. He felt Shamsi has proved his worth at the domestic circuit and he has a deceptive wrong ‘un up his sleeve. Harris who was renowned for his pressure building and accurate bowling believes Shamsi would be free to play an attacking role in the team, given Vernon Philander is recalled to the side

South Africa are the clear favourites and will be a very tough side to beat in their home territory. Traditionally a pace-dominated attack, it will be interesting to see whether the South African selection committee chooses to pick Shamsi ahead of Dane Piedt. Shamsi is a relatively unknown commodity to the New Zealand side, so they might struggle against the spinner.

Starting his career at Gauteng, Shamsi moved to Kwa-Zulu Natal but struggled to find a place for him at the Dolphins franchise. He then moved back to join the Titans where he was initially touted as a provincial level bowler but an impressive performance for the Easterns in the 2013-14 season paved the way for his selection in the franchise.He finished with 47 wickets in the tournament.

He performed exceedingly well in the 2015 Caribbean Premier League and was the leading wicket-taker for St.Kitts and Nevis Patriots. He made his IPL debut in 2016 when he replaced an injured Samuel Badree in the Royal Challengers Bangalore team.