VIDEO | Imran Tahir starts trademark 'running' celebration before umpire's decision to leave AB de Villiers in stitches

07/24/2019

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40-year-old Imran Tahir seems to be getting younger by the day and has made the running celebration a trademark of his own. But on Tuesday, he took his celebration to a whole new level, as he stormed towards the crowd even before the umpire raised his finger, after trapping AB de Villiers in front.

If there ever was a "Best celebration in World Cricket" award, Imran Tahir would probably win it uncontested. Ever since making his debut in 2011, Tahir has thoroughly entertained cricket fans all around the world with his energy and personality on the field and has become a fan favourite thanks to his "running" celebration every time he takes a wicket.

But on Tuesday, the former South African spinner took his celebration to a whole new level, as he started to celebrate even before the umpire raised his finger. Playing for Surrey in the Vitality T20 Blast against Middlesex, Tahir was brought back into the attack by the captain as soon as AB de Villiers walked into bat, with the idea of removing him early.

The move turned out to be a masterstroke, as Tahir trapped de Villiers in front of the stumps in just his third ball to him, as de Villiers missed a reverse-sweep off a straightforward delivery. However, what followed next turned out to be one of the moments of the match, and even left his former teammate de Villiers in stitches.

As soon as the ball hit de Villiers' pad, Tahir launched a loud appeal, but even before the umpire raised his finger, the leggie took off and started running towards the crowd in joy, pulling out his trademark celebration. The moment was captured in the camera fit in the umpire's cap. Tahir's celebration sparked a grin on the face of de Villiers, who could do nothing but just walk off the field as he saw his former teammate celebrate in joy.