The images and videos of Shamsi’s shoe celebration went viral on social media within no time.
South African bowler Tabraiz Shamsi (C) reacts after the dismissal of Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan (R) for 36 runs during the third Twenty20 international cricket match of a three-match series between India and South Africa at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on September 22, 2019. (Photo by Manjunath KIRAN / AFP)
In the third and final T20I between India and South Africa which the Proteas won by 9 wickets, it was spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s peculiar celebration after claiming the wicket of southpaw Shikhar Dhawan which grabbed everyone’s attention.
It all happened in the second ball of the 8th over when Shamsi got Dhawan caught out at long-off and celebrated in a different sytle; taking one of his shoes in his hands and pretending to call someone, using the shoe as a mobile phone.
The images and videos of Shamsi’s shoe celebration went viral on social media within no time, giving spark to new stories.
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However, the 29-year-old South African spinner issued an explanation of his bizarre celebration in a tweet on Wednesday.
“No disrespect… only love, enjoyment and entertainment!
Asked the big man why he didnt give me a warning atleast before smoking me out of the park 1st two balls lol, “tweeted Shamsi.
No disrespect… only love, enjoyment and entertainment! 🙏
Asked the big man why he didnt give me a warning atleast before smoking me out of the park 1st two balls lol 😂#DefinitelyWokeMeUp #GottaHaveSomeFunAtWork pic.twitter.com/wdLWN5ks9p
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) September 24, 2019
In the 3rd T20I, after restricting India to a modest 134 for 9 in their stipulated quota of 20 overs, South Africa chased down the target with more than three overs to spare, courtesy a 79 not out from Proteas skipper Quinton de Kock.
Talking about the series, India won the second T20 by eight wickets in Mohali after the first match in Dharamshala got washed out. And South Africa won the third and final match to square the three-match series 1-1.
The teams meet next on 2 October for the three-match Test series.
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