South Africa's Shamsi brings magic to cricket celebrations

Before he became a full-time cricketer, South African spin bowler Tabraiz Shamsi wanted to become a professional magician.

Now Shamsi has brought his old passion to the cricket field. His extravagant celebrations after taking a wicket have attracted social media interest across the cricket-playing world.

The left-arm wrist spinner's latest trick is to take a large red handkerchief out of his pocket and, with a flick of his wrist, turn it into a metre-long wand.

"I have always wanted to enjoy myself on the cricket field," Shamsi told AFP on Friday.

"There's a lot of pressure playing professional cricket and sometimes you forget why you started playing cricket in the first place.

"It's a bit of fun. Not everyone likes it but my intentions are all good. I want to get more kids to enjoy the game."