Cricket South Africa has named Imraan Khan, a 2009 Test cap winner and the Dolphins’ coach for the past five years, as the team’s new batting leader. Imraan is presently in the West Indies with the Test team, where he will be coached by Shukri Conrad, the national red-ball coach. He took over as batting coach for this tour in lieu of Ashwell Prince, who was unable to serve due to personal matters, and he will now take on a more general position at CSA.
In South Africa’s top division, Imraan enjoyed great success as a provincial coach. He guided the Dolphins to two four-day series championships (2022–2023), a shared one-day cup in 2020–2021 season, and three CSA T20 Challenge finals.
Keshav Maharaj has grown into a capable leader, and the Dolphins have produced a number of national players under his direction, notably Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, and Ottneil Baartman. Imraan played for the Durban-based union for fifteen years during his whole professional career.
Imraan was a top-order hitter well recognised for his long-format accomplishments. In addition to scoring 9,367 runs, including 20 centuries, and averaging 36.58, he was awarded 161 first-class caps. His lone Test cap came in 2009, sharing the top of the order with Prince against Australia. In addition, he played in 51 T20s and 121 List A games.
“I want to thank the KZN Cricket Union for all their support,” Imraan said, in a statement. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ve loved starting my coaching career at the union that has been my home for many seasons. This is an exciting step in my path as a coach, but Kingsmead will always be home, and I will miss everyone here.”
The T20 competition is scheduled to kick off the domestic season in late September, but the Dolphins have not yet revealed who would replace Imraan.