Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar recently praised Mohammed Shami’s exceptional bowling performance in the World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand. The match, held on November 15 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, saw Shami deliver a remarkable performance, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Shami's impressive bowling figures stood at 9.5-0-57-7, significantly contributing to India's 70-run victory over the Black Caps. This performance was especially notable in front of a fully-packed Wankhede Stadium. Akhtar, known for his record-breaking fastest delivery in international cricket, commended Shami for his effective use of seam bowling.
"What a comeback Shami has made. What an amazing fast bowler he is and deserves every bit of it. Congratulations to him. He hits the seam and creates magic," Akhtar was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
Shami's achievements in the tournament have been extraordinary, with 23 wickets in just six matches, surpassing Zaheer Khan's record for the highest number of wickets taken by an Indian bowler in a single World Cup edition.
Akhtar also expressed admiration for Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s attacking batting style. In the semi-final, Rohit played a pivotal innings of 47 runs, setting up a solid foundation for other Indian batsmen like Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli to build upon.
"All credit goes to Rohit Sharma as a captain, as a player and as a batter. He plays aggressive cricket right at the beginning and pushes opponents on the backfoot. Had Shubman Gill not suffered the cramps, he would also scored a hundred," he added.
Additionally, Akhtar commented on Shubman Gill's performance, noting that Gill was on course for a century but was hindered by cramps due to Mumbai’s hot and humid conditions.
Looking ahead, India is set to play in the World Cup final on November 19. Their opponent will be determined by the outcome of the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa, promising another exciting match-up in this edition of the World Cup. Akhtar's comments reflect the high level of performance displayed by the Indian team, underscoring the contributions of key players like Shami, Rohit, and Gill in their successful World Cup campaign.
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