Tamim Iqbal reveals real story behind Bangladesh's 'Naagin dance' against Sri Lanka

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal has come out and revealed the real story behind the famous (or infamous) naagin dance which has been a talking point during his team’s matches against Sri Lanka in the past. The dance was part of the celebrations of Bangladesh during a match of Nidahas Trophy 2018 in Colombo. 

A lot of people associate that dance with Mushfiqur Rahim and the other Bangladesh players. However, Tamim clarified that the dance was actually started by one of their teammates, Nazmul Islam. The left-arm spinners, according to Tamim, used to celebrate in that manner after picking up wickets in domestic matches and later on did a few times during international matches. 

Iqbal was speaking to Russell Arnold and Farveez Maharoof during an interaction on the former’s YouTube channel, ‘Chilling with Russell’. He narrated the story, “You can’t actually blame Mushfiqur (Rahim), Sri Lanka was touring Bangladesh and they won a T20I series. After the final game in Sylhet. I think it was Danushka Gunathilaka, who started doing it when they won that series. After he did it, Rahim saw that and it was on his mind.”

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have massive respect for each other: Tamim Iqbal

Tamim further said that he didn’t actually see Gunathilaka do it, but some of his teammates saw it. He further explained that after losing, if your opposition is celebrating too much, then it can get to your mind and heart. He continued, “after we won the first match, Mushfiqur did the dance. And that made the Sri Lankan fans crazy. I remember playing going to the final against India in the Nidahas Trophy, and I saw each and every Sri Lankan fan was angry.”

After Bangladesh lost the final of the Nidahas Trophy against India, several Sri Lanka fans were seen doing the naagin dance in the stands. The rivalry between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has seen some really good matches in recent times. One of the matches was the qualifying match for the final against India in that tournament. After winning that game, Bangladesh players danced in the middle of the pitch in Colombo. Iqbal ended by saying, “Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have massive respect for each other.”