The Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir's hopes of playing for South Africa at the cricket World Cup have been boosted after he was added to the Proteas' provisional squad for next month's tournament.
Cricket South Africa says the 31-year-old Tahir, a former Pakistan A representative, has replaced batsman Jonathan Vandiar in a 30-man preliminary squad for the event in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19th.
Tahir was granted South African citizenship last month and is now eligible to play for his new country after meeting International Cricket Council and South African government criteria.
He is married to a South African and plays for the Durban-based Dolphins team.
Tahir is also in South Africa's squad for the one-day series against India, which begins on Wednesday.
