Top 5 ODI bowlers of the decade 

#4. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir: Ecstatic as ever

Matches - 107, Wickets - 173, Average - 24.83, Economy Rate - 4.65, Best Figures - 7/45

For a South African spinner to feature in the list of top five ODI bowlers of the decade is a massive achievement. And, Imran Tahir totally deserves the accolade. Even as the Proteas’ performances over the last few years have oscillated from being magnificent to mediocre, the 40-year-old leg-spinner kept the flag flying high for his team by bowling his heart out in most games.

Tahir’s 173 wickets came at an impressive strike rate of 32. He grabbed a best of 7 for 45 against West Indies at Basseterre in 2016. The veteran leggie picked up 136 wickets in 65 matches that South Africa won, striking at 25.2.

That famous sprint

Even as South Africa stumbled at the semi-final hurdle at the 2015 World Cup, Tahir had a memorable tournament, claiming 15 wickets in eight matches at an average of 21.53, to go with the 14 he picked up in 2011. He signed off with 11 wickets in nine matches in the 2019 edition, his age-defying celebratory sprint very much intact, notwithstanding South Africa’s horror show in the tournament.