Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim was at the centre of all discussions for his emphatic match-winning, unbeaten 35-ball 72-run innings that guided the Tigers to a historic win over host Sri Lanka Saturday in the Nidahas T20I tri-nation series in Colombo’s R Premadasa Cricket Stadium.
The right-handed batsman received a lot of praise for his heroics from all corners of the world and later, his “snake dance” celebration went viral on social media.
Mushfiq was filled with emotions after hitting the winning run against the Lankans in the final over of the 215-run chase as he let out a loud scream and roared before doing a snake-style dance - better known as the “nagin dance” in South Asia.
It was being rumoured that this particular celebration was intended towards someone. Mushfiq though said it was unintentional and not meant for anyone particular."It was not pre-planned, it happened all of sudden. The celebration came from the excitement of a win that we were badly looking for having come to the series with defeats in the recent past," said Mushfiq to the media in Colombo Monday.
Mushfiq also said the celebration was not meant to have a go at Sri Lanka all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka, who performed a similar celebration following a T20I against the Tigers at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium last month.
Bangladesh had lost that game by 75 runs to concede a 2-0 series defeat in the two T20Is.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
