The International Cricket Council has banned South African spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi from celebrating wickets by donning a mask.

Shamsi used the mask during an ongoing stint with the Paarl Rocks in the Mzansi Super League. He also put it on while playing for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League.

‘There is so much pressure on you as a bowler in a game,’ Shamsi was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.

‘I’m having fun with my celebrations and it is definitely not because I want to be disrespectful to the batsman.’

The talented wrist spinner found some consolation in the dismissal of former South African captain AB de Villiers as the Rocks slipped to a four-wicket defeat to the Tshwane Spartans earlier this week.

Shamsi removed De Villiers, England batsman Eoin Morgan and wicketkeeper-batsman Gihahn Cloete in quick succession, but his telling burst was not enough. The Spartans reached a modest 122-run target with three deliveries to spare.

‘It is not great losing a game of cricket. We were short with the runs, but the guys showed some fight,’ he said.

‘AB is a legend. He is a once-in-a-generation kind of player, so his wicket is memorable. But I am a bit sad that we couldn’t win. I always try and put in big performances for the team. There are a lot of positive sides – and we’ve still got three more games.’

Photo: Gallo