'Magical stuff': Bowler's absurd celebration after T20 wicket
Few cricketers celebrate a wicket like South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.
His left-field celebrations have drawn a mixed response from the likes of David Warner in years gone by, but his opponents couldn’t help but smile when he quite literally brought some magic to the pitch.
Shamsi snared the wicket of Wihan Lubbe during the Mzansi Super League T20 clash between the Paarl Rocks and Durban Heat, producing a red handkerchief from his pocket.
As he ran towards his teammates, Shamsi produced a metal staff from the handkerchief, leaving cricket fans stunned by the display - although not everyone was a fan.
Tabraiz Shamsi is that cool uncle in parties who makes friends with kids by playing illusion tricks
— Sudrish Khan (@SudrishK) December 5, 2019
lol imagine if Tabraiz Shamsi done that celebration in the IPL or international cricket he'd be crucified. Proper muppet.
— We've Won It 6 Times🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@MideyChowdhry) December 5, 2019
How did you do that Mann??
Tabraiz Shamsi with some magical stuff.#MSL2019— . (@Too_Randum) December 5, 2019
As it turns out though, Shamsi’s magic trick might have been premeditated.
A couple of weeks ago, the lefty spinner spoke to a group of schoolchildren, where he showed off the same trick, much to the delight of the children.
'Sport can bring magic to your life' - via Tabraiz Shamsi
(watch till the end 🧙♀️)
Video credit: @Paarl_Rocks pic.twitter.com/tr5Ttu8ecS— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 22, 2019
Shamsi told Sport24 back in November his magic tricks were his way if bringing some life to the game.
"I have always been fascinated by magic and different tricks," he said.
"People come out to watch us play and sometimes we (the players) become too serious.
"We are going to make mistakes out on the field, because everybody makes mistakes. The celebrations and tricks do not distract me from doing my job. I am not the first bowler to get hit out of the park and it is not my magic tricks that make me get hit.
"Entertaining on the field is just my way of taking pressure off myself and being able to enjoy things. I feel like when I am myself, I am able to play my best cricket."