Home
Wasim Akram strongly criticised former Pakistani cricketer Hasan Raza's allegations that Indian bowlers are using "different and suspicious balls" in the 2023 World Cup. Akram, Pakistan's leading wicket-taker in international cricket, condemned Raza's comments, stating that such statements could lead to embarrassment.
Follow the Sports Tak channel on WhatsApp
"I have been reading about it for the last couple of days. I want to have the same thing these guys are having, sounds like fun because their mind is not there. You will embarrass yourself and you will get us humiliated as well in front of the whole world," Akram said on A Sports.
Raza had expressed surprise at the amount of seam and swing that Indian bowlers, particularly Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, were achieving. He even called for an "inspection" of the balls being used.
"We are seeing that when they are batting, they bat really well and suddenly the ball starts doing things when India bowl. There have been 7-8 close DRS calls that have gone in their favour," Raza was quoted as saying.
"The way Siraj and Shami were swinging the ball, it seemed like the ICC or the BCCI were giving them different and suspicious balls in the second innings. There needs to be an inspection done on the ball. There could also be an extra layer of coating on the ball for swing," he added.
Raza made these remarks following India's dominant 302-run victory over Sri Lanka on November 2 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. In that match, India successfully defended their imposing total of 358 by bowling out Sri Lanka for just 55 runs in 19.4 overs. Mohammed Shami was the standout performer, taking a five-wicket haul, which also made him India's all-time leading wicket-taker in the 50-over World Cup. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj contributed to the wickets column by dismissing key Sri Lankan batsmen.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'We feel their pain': Captain Hashmatullah dedicates Afghanistan's stunning to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan
Watch: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan's dance delights fans once again after Afghanistan's victory; video viral
