Sports

Tahir first spinner to bowl first over

PTI

South Africa's Imran Tahir on Thursday became the first spinner to bowl the first over in a World Cup match during the tournament-opener against hosts England.

South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis handed the ball to Tahir after winning the toss and the leg-spinner didn't disappoint as he dismissed  Jonny Bairstow (0) in the second ball.

Tahir deceived Bairstow with a googly as the opener ended up giving a catch to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock without bothering the scorer.

In the 1992 World Cup, New Zealand off-spinner Dipak Patel had bowled the second over during a match against Australia.

Tahir (40 years and 64 days) also became the oldest South African to play in a World Cup match.