The 32-year-old Pakistan-born leg spinner took 7-64 in the second innings off 28 overs that included nine maidens as the home team slumped to 163 all out in pursuit of 416 runs for victory.

Tahir was almost as devastating in the first innings of the four-day provincial championship match at Kingsmead in Indian Ocean city Durban, finishing with 5-42 from 23.1 overs.

Jonathan Vandiar (42) and Khaya Zondo (34) were the only Dolphins batsman to post respectable second-innings scores as three fell for ducks and another three failed to reach double figures.

The Lions made 248 and 322-4 declared and the erratic Dolphins were bowled out for 155 and 163 in reply a week after handing defending champions Titans an innings and 247-run drubbing.

Victory for the Lions lifted them two places to third, 26 points behind Cape Cobras with one game in hand and they visit Cape Town next week to confront the leaders.