[imagesource: Zac Goodwin / PA Wire]

It’s impossible not to love Imran Tahir’s passion for life.

You get the impression that he probably celebrates wickets in the nets with a few fist pumps to the sky, and yesterday he became only the second man in history to reach 400 wickets in T20 cricket.

Not content with that achievement, Immy then became the first man to take a hat-trick in The Hundred tournament, as he wrapped up a Birmingham Phoenix victory in style.

He finished with figures of 5/25, bowling David Payne to spark scenes of wild celebration.

42 years old, and still going very, very strong. You’ll see the hat-trick ball from the 20-second mark:

In case that video gets taken down, here’s a backup:

THE MOMENT WE HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! 😍 #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/zD4nxqCa2r

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 9, 2021

What an absolute ripper to slip through the gate as well.

It’s not quite a test match hat-trick, like Keshav Maharaj, but Immy is definitely sending the selectors a few messages ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

After the match, he spoke about how wonderful it is to play in front of a packed house, reports Metro:

‘We’re living in a sad time with Covid but to play in front of a crowd is a great feeling. I’m really grateful for all the fans for coming and supporting cricket.

‘I don’t take things for granted. Every opportunity is an honour for me so I try to do my best and try to do myself justice.

‘I knew what I was going to bowl [for the hat-trick ball]. I felt the batter would be preparing for the quicker one so I bowled a googly and I’m so happy that it worked.’

Video footage confirms the fact that he was so happy.

While we’re here, enjoying sporting footage that also makes us happy, we may as revel just a little in the Springbok victory over the British & Irish Lions.

It really was a series that could have gone either way, but coming back from losing the first test speaks volumes about the character of this team.

Watch every single GIF in this thread and your Tuesday will be infinitely better:

GIF Drop from the third test #BoksvLions

First up, Rassie & Lood 💚 pic.twitter.com/4dELCOy7o2

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 7, 2021

Oh, and finally, all hail Mornè Steyn:

Live pictures of Mornè Steyn entering the Springbok breakfast room at the Cullinan Hotel this morning. pic.twitter.com/jU8FvwTeWc

— Lester Kiewit (@lesterkk) August 8, 2021

[source:metro]