Xtra Time Web Desk: Bangladesh cricketers ‘Naagin dance’ celebration against Sri Lanka during the Nidahas Trophy in 2018 has become quite a famous celebration in cricket fraternity. It turned out to be quite an infamous celebration which is being tried out by a few cricketers even now. Very recently Indian captain Virat Kohli was seen trying the ‘Naagin dance’ at the Lords balcony during the second test match of the recently concluded series between India and England.
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal has recently revealed the real story behind the famous ‘Naagin dance’ during a chat with former Sri Lankan cricketer Russell Arnold on his You Tube channel ‘Chilling with Russell’.
Most people associate the dance with former Bangaldesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim. But Tamim clarified that it was not the wicket keeper batsman who started the ‘Naagin dance’. Tamim credited Bangladesh left arm spinner Nazmul Islam for the dance who used to celebrate in that manner after picking up wickets in domestic matches and later on tried out in international matches.
According to Tamim, Sri Lanka’s Danushka Gunathilaka tried doing ‘Naagin dance’ after they won a T20I series against the Tigers in Sylhet. Gunathilaka’s gesture did not go down well with Mushfiq and he kept it in mind.
When Bangladesh shocked Sri Lanka to make it to the final of the Nidahas Trophy, Mushfiqur chose to give it back at the Lankans as he started doing the Naagin dance at the Premadasa stadium. Tamim still remembers how angry the Sri Lankan fans were when he played in the final against India.
After Bangladesh lost the final to India, several Sri Lanka fans were seen doing the naagin dance in the stands.