When you think about modern wrist-spinners who bring both flair and unpredictability to the game, Tabraiz Shamsi is a name that always pops up. Known for his left-arm wrist-spin and his animated celebrations, Shamsi has carved out a special place in South African cricket. While he’s not the kind of player you look at for big batting numbers, his bowling speaks volumes about his talent, consistency, and match-winning ability.
In this detailed guide, we’ll dive into Tabraiz Shamsi’s profile, covering his age, career journey, international milestones, and his batting and bowling stats across all formats — Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and IPL.
Personal Information
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Full Name: Tabraiz Shamsi
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Date of Birth: February 18, 1990 (35 years old in 2025)
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Birthplace: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Height: —
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Role: Bowler
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Batting Style: Right-handed
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Bowling Style: Left-arm wrist-spin
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Country: South Africa
Shamsi may not be a household batting hero, but as a bowler, he’s made his mark with clever variations, sharp turn, and the kind of energy that keeps fans entertained.
Batting Career Stats
Let’s be real — batting isn’t where Shamsi shines, but his records still give us a sense of his time at the crease.
Test Batting Stats
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Matches: 2
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Innings: 4
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Runs: 20
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Highest Score: 18
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Average: 20.0
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Strike Rate: 41.67
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50s/100s: 0/0
Even though he had just a brief run in Tests, Shamsi showed he could hang around when needed.
ODI Batting Stats
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Matches: 55
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Runs: 39
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Average: 9.75
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Highest Score: 11
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Strike Rate: 56.53
Mostly, Shamsi bats down the order, contributing small but sometimes valuable runs in pressure moments.
T20I Batting Stats
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Matches: 70
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Runs: 10
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Average: 2.0
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Highest Score: 4
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Strike Rate: 37.04
His T20I numbers show his role is firmly with the ball, not the bat.
IPL Batting Stats
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Matches: 5
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Runs: 2
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Highest Score: 2*
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Average: 0 (not out in his only innings)
While batting may not be his strong suit, it’s his bowling that turns heads worldwide.
Bowling Career Stats
Now here’s where Shamsi’s brilliance shines. His variations, flight, and knack for breakthroughs make him a real asset for South Africa.
Test Bowling Stats
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Matches: 2
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Innings: 4
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Wickets: 6
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Balls Bowled: 483
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Best Figures: 3/91
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Average: 46.33
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Economy: 3.45
His Test career was short-lived, but he left glimpses of his potential.
ODI Bowling Stats
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Matches: 55
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Wickets: 73
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Best Figures: 5/49
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Average: 34.38
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Economy: 5.58
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Strike Rate: 36.95
In ODIs, Shamsi has been reliable, providing breakthroughs in the middle overs when his team needs him most.
T20I Bowling Stats
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Matches: 70
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Wickets: 89
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Best Figures: 5/24
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Average: 20.89
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Economy: 7.39
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Strike Rate: 16.96
This is Shamsi’s strongest format. His ability to deceive batters with clever wrist-spin has made him one of the top T20 bowlers in the world.
IPL Bowling Stats
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Matches: 5
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Wickets: 3
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Best Figures: 1/21
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Average: 60.33
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Economy: 9.05
Though his IPL stint was short, he showed flashes of what makes him such a tricky customer in limited-overs cricket.
Also Read : Moeen Ali Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Career Timeline & Key Moments
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Test Debut: vs Australia, November 24, 2016, at Adelaide Oval
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Last Test: vs Sri Lanka, July 12, 2018, at Galle International Stadium
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ODI Debut: vs Australia, June 7, 2016, at Providence Stadium
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Last ODI: vs Pakistan, February 12, 2025, at National Stadium
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T20I Debut: vs England, June 21, 2017, at The Rose Bowl
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Last T20I: vs India, June 29, 2024, at Kensington Oval
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IPL Debut: vs Rising Pune Supergiant, April 22, 2016
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Last IPL: vs Delhi Capitals, September 25, 2021
What Makes Tabraiz Shamsi Special?
If you’ve ever watched him bowl, you’ll know he’s not just about taking wickets — he’s a full entertainer. Here’s what makes him stand out:
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Wrist-spin wizardry: As a left-arm wrist-spinner, Shamsi is rare and tough to read.
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Big-game mentality: He thrives in T20s, where pressure is at its peak.
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Celebrations with flair: His trademark celebrations keep fans buzzing.
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Consistency in T20Is: With nearly 90 wickets in 70 matches, his numbers put him among the best in the format.
Beyond the Numbers
While stats tell part of the story, Shamsi’s impact goes deeper. He’s been a crucial part of South Africa’s limited-overs setup, especially in T20Is where his ability to break partnerships has turned games around. Fans love his energy, his passion, and the way he wears his heart on his sleeve every time he steps onto the field.
Conclusion
Tabraiz Shamsi’s cricketing journey may not be about centuries or record-breaking batting numbers, but his bowling has firmly etched his name in South African cricket history. From his beginnings in Johannesburg to representing the Proteas on the global stage, Shamsi has shown resilience, creativity, and pure entertainment value.
Whether it’s dismantling batters in T20s, providing control in ODIs, or keeping crowds engaged with his celebrations, Shamsi is a player who brings excitement every time he bowls. And with plenty of cricket still left in him, fans can look forward to more magic from his wrist-spin in the years to come.
