“That one was definitely for Cristiano Ronaldo”: Akeal Hosein copies Ronaldo celebration after picking maiden BBL wicket at Cazaly’s Stadium

Melbourne Renegades all-rounder Akeal Hosein has expressed happiness at contributing in a winning effort on Big Bash League debut. Pick of the bowlers from both the teams, Hosein made instant impact in the tournament enabling Renegades to kick-start their BBL 2022-23 campaign with a victory at the Cazaly’s Stadium.

Hosein, who opined that his team picked wickets at crucial junctures to successfully defend 167 runs in an away match against Brisbane Heat, not only opened the bowling but also led from the front in the bowling department.

Having already made a lot of name for himself in the shortest format, Hosein justified his reputation and signing at Renegades by picking bowling figures of 4-0-15-3 which comprised of dismissals of Max Bryant (0), Josh Brown (7) and Jimmy Peirson (43).

Post sending Brisbane’s opening batters back to the pavilion in his first two overs respectively, Hosein came back to dismiss their captain right before the death overs. Hosein’s third wicket in his final over was a blow which Heat failed to recover from scoring 144/6 to eventually fall short by 22 runs.

A keen observer of outstanding cricketing performances irrespective of the team or format, former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop took notice of Hosein’s incredible BBL debut. Taking to social media platform Twitter, Bishop didn’t hesitate from saying that Hosein bowled as well as he’s ever seen him bowl.

Akeal Hosein on debut for the Melbourne Renegades in @BBL 3 for 15 from 4 overs. Bowled as well as I’ve seen him bowl.

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 15, 2022

Akeal Hosein copies Ronaldo celebration after picking maiden BBL wicket at Cazaly’s Stadium

Speaking to 7 Cricket in a post-match conversation in Cairns tonight, Hosein was short of words to acknowledge Bishop’s praise but did manage to accept the compliment with a smile.

Apart from his disciplined spell, Hosein also enticed eyeballs for emulating Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration after picking his first wicket in the form of Bryant.

“I told him [Andre Russell] that one was definitely for Cristiano Ronaldo. That’s his celebration. Did the first one for him,” Hosein told 7 Cricket. According to Manchester United, Ronaldo’s latest “napping celebration” is dedicated to his knack of taking naps regularly for optimum recovery.

Akeal Hosein says his first wicket celebration was for Ronaldo 😂 pic.twitter.com/q98frTnv5o

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 15, 2022

Also known for his big-hitting skills, Hosein failed with the bat in hand in the first innings scoring 1 (7) before getting out on the last ball of the penultimate over. The 29-year old player will next be seen in action against Sydney Thunder at Renegades’ home ground in the Dockland Stadium.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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