T20I No.1-ranked Imran Tahir fails to attract any IPL franchise

Bengaluru, Feb 20: Despite holding the top bowling spots in both the International Cricket Council (ICC) One-day Internationals (ODI) and Twenty20I rankings, South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir failed to attract any buyer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) auction here on Monday.

Tahir, who missed out in the morning session, once again failed to generate any interests from any of the franchises in the post-lunch session.

Surprised at the development, former India opening batsman Aakash Chopra said: "Imran Tahir going unsold is the 'shocker' of the day. Can't fathom how."

Tahir was not the only big name who failed to get a franchise as Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, all-rounder Irfan Pathan, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, middle-order batsman Manoj Tiwary also could not attract anyone.

Also joining the list were New Zealand's Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Colin Munro, James Neesham, South African pacer Wayne Parnell and England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow.

Bangladesh's Mehedi Hasan Miraj and Shabbir Rahman also failed to find any takers.