Sajid Khan was named in the 16-member squad for Australia Test series.
Veteran Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan has often hogged the limelight on the field for doing the thigh-five celebration, and it is quite famous among his fans. The left-handed batter often does the thigh-five celebration after taking a catch on the field.
However, there is one more cricketer, Pakistani spinner Sajid Khan, who celebrates in the same way as Dhawan. Sajid made his Test debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Harare last year (2021), and has so far featured in 4 Tests with 18 scalps to his name at the highest level.
Many think that Sajid has taken it from Dhawan, but the spinner has categorically denied copying the Indian star, saying he has been celebrating in such a manner since his school cricket days.
The Pakistani off-spinner revealed that he hasn't taken the thigh-five celebration from Dhawan but has been doing it since his school days and even been fined twice for his celebration in first-class cricket.
Sajid told media ahead of the Australia Test series: “Everyone has their own style and people say that I copy Shikhar Dhawan’s celebration. I have been doing this celebration since school cricket.”
The 28-year-old added, “Just to bring this under your notice that I have been fined twice for this celebration in first-class cricket. Now everyone is appreciating this celebration.”
Notably, Sajid Khan was named in the 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, starting on March 4 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The Australians who are touring Pakistan for the first time since 1998, will also play three ODIs and one T20I match.
As per reports, the Australian cricketers will complete their isolation in their own country and will land in Islamabad on February 27 on a chartered flight.
(Hindustan Times inputs)