‘Celebration? I’m not sure’

Cricket fans wondering what Proteas leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s exuberant wicket celebrations are all about, will just have to carry on guessing ... as he’s not quite sure himself.

Tahir’s excitement hit new highs during his Man-of-the Match performance in South Africa’s 96-run win against Sri Lanka in their opening Champions Trophy match at The Oval on Saturday. While setting off on one of his customary sprints towards the boundary on his way to taking 4/27, television replays even traced his speed during the replay, with the tweaker clocking an impressive 24km/h.

Asked afterwards what is going through his mind during those moments, he replied: “I’m not really sure myself what I’m thinking of at the time.’’

“All I can say is that I enjoy myself out there. It was a dream come true for me to be selected to play international cricket. I’m still living the dream playing for this great team and representing South Africa is not easy,’’ the Pakistani-born Tahir (below) said.

‘’I’m trying to give everything I got in me to this country and the team. I like to enjoy my cricket and that probably explains where I end up at the end of celebrating a wicket. But when I start the celebration, it’s safe to say I don’t know what I’m going to be doing.’’

The leggie had another to smile on Saturday. Not renowned to be the best fielder in the side, he ran Suranga Lakmal out with a direct hit from mid-on.

‘’We do quite a lot of training in the field and it’s nice to see that now I’ve got a run out in my pocket too,’’ he said.

The Proteas take on Pakistan in their second match at Edgbaston tomorrow, after which they conclude the group stage against India at the Oval.