Leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is understandably eager to succeed during South Africa’s limited-over series against England this month.
The Proteas and English will contested three ODIs and as many T20Is from 19 to 31 July 2022. Both are effectively in preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year. While England are priced at 3.5/1 to win the 2022 T20 World Cup, the South Africans are offered at 10/1 in the same market with Betway via BetBonus.
“As a player who believes in himself and a team who believes in themselves, you want to play against the stronger teams; you want to test yourself against a team like England,” Shamsi told ESPNcricinfo.
“I’ve always wanted to get the best guy out on the opposition team. England is blessed with many good guys, so that’s really exciting for me. It’s something I’m proud of when I play: it’s a great opportunity to be bowling against very good players and having an opportunity to get them out.
When you’re playing international cricket, there can’t be a 70% difference between my skill versus your skill. We’re all good players, that’s why we’ve made it that far. It’s more of a mental thing. I know I’m a good bowler, you know you’re a good batsman.
“It’s about how we tackle each other mentally and who has more faith in their ability and execution. Skill-wise, we’re all on a specific level. Yes, some guys are slightly better than others, but I don’t think the difference is as big as it is mentally. That’s what makes great players great: their mental approach to the game and their belief in their ability.”
As a left-arm wrist-spinner, Shamsi is a relative rarity in international cricket. India’s Kuldeep Yadav is another.
“The game has changed so much. Guys are batting left-handed when they’re supposed to be a right-handed batsman, and reverse-whooping fast bowlers. That might previously have been the case when India came through with Yadav,” added Shamsi.
“But I think guys have adapted. That’s the game: bowlers come up with something and then batsmen innovate. At the end of the day, you have to put the ball in the right area with the right variations, no matter whether you’re bowling with the right arm or the left arm. That’s the key.”
Shamsi has played in domestic T20 tournaments around the world, including the Caribbean Premier League, Indian Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League and Mzansi Super League. He has also played in The Hundred.