Tabraiz Shamsi sees his 'Masked Magician' celebration outlawed

The left-arm wristspinner caught the attention of the cricketing world last week when he marked the wicket of Morne van Wyk by pulling a snood bearing a wild smile over his face

Tabraiz Shamsi says he has been banned from performing his 'Masked Magician' celebration in the Mzansi Super League.

The left-arm wristspinner caught the attention of the cricketing world last week when he marked the wicket of Durban Heat's Morne van Wyk by pulling a snood bearing a wild smile over his face.

It is the latest in a succession of unconventional celebrations coined by Shamsi over the course of his career, but this one has not been so well received in some quarters.

And, ahead of Paarl Rocks' game against Tshwane Spartans on Wednesday he was told he was no longer to perform it.

"I got told before the game that my mask celebration has been banned," he said.

"It definitely could have come out against the Spartans but unfortunately it has been banned‚ but it is what it is.

Hahahaha it's the #MaskedMagician Celebration @jpduminy21 😂😂@MSL_T20 #Celebrations #GoodTimes #JustForFun @ICC pic.twitter.com/pizqFEkxQM

— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) December 6, 2018

"We are playing T20 cricket‚ fans come out here to spend their hard-earned money cash to watch us play.

"I am just trying to have fun to give something extra to the people who come to the stadium to watch and support us. We all started playing the game because we enjoy and love it.

"Obviously when you grow up and play professionally there is pressure because each and every performance is scrutinised.

"I don’t want to lose that fun factor because that is why I started playing. These celebrations help me to keep calm. A lot of people get nervous and things like that.

"This is my way of enjoying the game because it is going to come to an end one day."

Reports in South Africa claim the ruling came from the ICC, however the global governing body do not have the jurisdiction to enforce such a ban.

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