Fast bowler Mohammed Shami expressed his surprise at a former Pakistani player's accusation that India used a special set of cricket balls to gain an advantage during the World Cup. Shami found it hard to believe that someone with a high-level cricket background could make such claims.
He dismissed the allegations made by Hasan Raza on social media, where Raza suggested that the International Cricket Council provided India with different balls to maximise their advantage in the tournament's conditions and pitches compared to other teams.
Raza's comments left many in the cricket fraternity astonished, and several considered them ridiculous. Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram dismissed the claims, providing a detailed explanation of the ball allocation process for teams. Akram clarified that bowlers have the opportunity to select their match balls from a designated set carried onto the field by match officials.
After being on the bench for the initial four games of the World Cup, Shami showcased his top form in his debut match, securing a 5-wicket haul against New Zealand in Dharamsala. In the absence of the injured Hardik Pandya, Shami's outstanding performance ensured that Pandya's absence was hardly noticeable. Shami delivered an impressive performance, claiming a total of 24 wickets in seven matches, which included three instances of taking 5 wickets in an inning. In the semi-final against New Zealand, Shami achieved a milestone by registering the best ODI bowling figures by an Indian, picking a total of 7 wickets.
"I have been hearing during the World Cup even when I was not playing. When I started playing, I took 5 wickets, then in the next match 4, in the next match 5, a few Pakistan players were not able to digest it. What can I do?" Shami said in a chat for Sportswear giant PUMA.
"In their mind, they think 'we (our pacers) are the best'. I think the best are the players who perform at the right time. But you are trying to create controversy, keep on saying stuff that 'ball is looking in a different colour, you are getting a different company's balls, ICC has given you a different set of balls'. Sudhar jao yaar (Mend your ways).
"In an interview, Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) explained it, helped them understand clearly how the balls are being allocated, and how bowlers can choose them. Even after that? I can understand if someone who has not played the game at the level talks like this. But you are an ex-player and if you talk like this, I don't think people will do anything other than laugh it off," he added.
‘ENJOY THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS’
Shami explained his rigorous behind-the-scenes efforts to implement his strategies and reach his goals, emphasising that hard work is the key to success. He expressed a lack of jealousy and said that if someone else replicates his achievements in the World Cup, it signifies the best bowlers stepping up on the grandest stages. Shami, achieving a notable feat, emerged as the quickest bowler to reach 50 wickets in an ODI World Cup. Serving as the first-change bowler after Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, the seasoned pacer proved to be formidable and difficult to contend with throughout the tournament.
Shami got a wicket in the final against Australia as Travis Head played a sensational knock of 137 to help the eventual champions chase down 240 in Ahmedabad on November 19.
"A lot of bowlers are there, but how is this man's ball swinging that much? Hard work is there, determination is there, there is hard work and there is execution. If you execute in the right way, you will get results. I am not saying the others are not doing it right, but I am trying to execute my skills, set a target and achieve it.
"I am praying that 10 other bowlers perform this way. I am never going to be jealous. If you learn to enjoy the success of other players, I think you have the chance of becoming a better player. The almighty is going to give whatever he wants to," he added.
Shami topped the bowling charts in the 2023 World Cup, claiming 24 wickets. Bumrah followed closely with 20 wickets, and Ravindra Jadeja concluded with 16 wickets, showcasing India's bowlers excelling on the biggest stage.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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