South Africa hopeful Imran Tahir has left the Titans with immediate effect.

The Pakistani-born leg-spinner, who was called up to the Proteas Test squad during the series against England in January and then suddenly withdrawn, has been out in the cold at the Pretoria franchise ever since he announced his intentions to join the Dolphins.

The 30-year-old, in his third year with the Titans, has now been left Centurion, but a move to Durban is yet to be finalised.

"Imran brought a new dimension to our franchise bowling attack and it did not take long for him to start producing the goods," the chairman of Easterns Titans, Vincent Sinovich, said. "Imran we wish you well and hope you will one day achieve your ambition and play for South Africa."

CEO, Elise Lombard, added: "The franchise thanks Imran for his services over the last few seasons. Imran goes with our blessing and we wish him well in his future career."

Tahir, who has played for English counties Middlesex, Yorkshire and Hampshire in the past, has an impressive first-class record taking 449 wickets in 107 games.

He was a member of the Titans squad that won the domestic one-day and four-day titles last season, prompting calls for an international call-up.

It was thought that he qualified to play for South Africa this year when he was named in the squad to play England, but was then pulled out after his papers proved otherwise.

Tahir could still feature for his adopted homeland later this year when he does become eligible.