(Image Source: Reuters)
[Saba Sports News] South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi recently became the center of controversy for his unique wicket celebration during the second T20I against India. Known for his unconventional celebrations, Shamsi removed his boot and mimicked a phone call after dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, a gesture that was misinterpreted by some Indian fans as disrespectful.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Shamsi expressed dismay over the negative reaction and the personal attacks that followed, including abuse towards his wife. He emphasized that his celebration was meant to be fun and not disrespectful, aimed at entertaining children and cricket fans. Despite his clarification on social media, the situation escalated with personal attacks, highlighting the darker side of social media interactions with athletes.
Shamsi also addressed the need for players to speak up against such behavior, advocating for a more respectful online environment. He noted the challenges sportspeople face in responding to online abuse due to their public image.
In addition, Shamsi commented on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) inconsistent stance on players’ expressions. He cited the case of Australian batter Usman Khawaja, who faced warnings from the ICC for his gestures to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza. Shamsi questioned the ICC’s double standards, contrasting Khawaja’s treatment with other expressions like the Black Lives Matter movement and personal symbols used by players like Marnus Labuschagne.
He called for clarity from the ICC on what is permissible for players to express on the field.