Tabraiz Shamsi reacts after ICC bans his ‘pulling on mask’ celebration

Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm unorthodox bowler from South Africa, opened up on the ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) against his unorthodox wicket celebrations. The 28-year old took to Twitter so as to send across a message about the intention behind his peculiar ways of merrymaking after taking a wicket.

Over the years, Shamsi has had numerous ways of rejoicing a dismissal – the bus-driver celebration in the Indian Premier League after dismissing David Warner or pulling on a mask, the Mortal Kombat and shoe-telephone celebrations in the Caribbean Premier League to name a few. However, it’s the ‘pulling on mask’ celebration that ICC seemed to be displeased with and they had no hesitation in furnishing an embargo on the same.

No disrespect to the game or opponents

Tabraiz Shamsi first performed the controversial celebration in this year’s CPL. After dismissing Barbados Tridents’ Shai Hope, the 28-year-old, appearing for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, had pulled out a scarf from under his neck before covering his face with it and wheeling away.

The Chinaman bowler, being baffled by the whole scheme of things, posted a message on Twitter saying that his celebrations were only intended to enliven him while competing hard against top-quality teams in the world. He also added that his modes of jollification do no harm but create a bit of fun and entertainment in the atmosphere.

The Johannesburg-born further said that his merrymaking post picking up a wicket never aimed at causing damage to the dignity of the sport and his opponents. He ended his tweet with hashtags giving an indication of his positive outlook irrespective of the recent developments.

“My celebrations are just a bit of light-hearted fun and entertainment while competing against my peers under highly pressurised situations with ABSOLUTELY NO DISRESPECT meant to the game or the opposition but hey… it is what it is,” his tweet read.

Here’s Shamsi’s tweet:

My celebrations are just abit of light hearted fun and entertainment while competing against my peers under highly pressurised situations with ABSOLUTELY NO DISRESPECT meant to the game or the opposition but hey… it is what it is 💁🏼‍♀#OntoTheNextOne #WatchThisSpace 😉 pic.twitter.com/eSRKnR3lyq

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) December 7, 2018

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~ Written by Harikrishnan Sivakumar