Tabraiz Shamsi declines central contract with CSA to focus on any and all franchise cricket opportunities that come his way.
Tabraiz Shamsi declines CSA’s central contract to become a free agent.
He will no longer be restricted by South African duties and can play more freely in T20 leagues as a free agent. Shamsi is still eligible to play for South Africa, and their white-ball teams are anticipated to include him in important competitions.
“I have decided to opt out of my central contract in order to be more flexible during the domestic season. This allows me to explore all opportunities available and look after my family in the best way possible,” he said in a CSA statement. “This will not impact my ability or motivation to play for the Proteas in any way. I will always be available to play for my country whenever I am needed. It has always been my dream to bring the World Cup home to South Africa. No franchise league will ever be more important than playing for my country.”
Shamsi has not participated in South Africa’s current tour of the United Arab Emirates, which includes matches against Afghanistan and Ireland. He last played for the team in the T20 World Cup final against India in June. In order to broaden their player pool, South Africa utilised the matches to rest their more experienced players.
Shamsi may have chosen to forego his national contract in part because the CSA pulled him from the PSL. All this so he could play for Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge, South Africa’s local T20 league. Shamsi missed out on his match fee for the next six league games. He was only able to participate in the first four of Karachi Kings’ 10 scheduled games.
Being forced to return home during this year’s CPL could be another reason Shamsi decides to sever ties with CSA. Shamsi wasn’t a winner of any honours, but he was nonetheless required by contract to attend the CSA awards ceremony. CSA has, however, always traditionally required contractual players to attend the awards. This is even if it meant departing midway through abroad deployments.
Earlier this year, fast bowler Anrich Nortje had also opted out of his central contract, saying that his body wasn’t ready for all three formats of the game, and also because he wanted to play more in T20 leagues.