Some Pakistan players can't digest my World Cup performance, says Mohammed Shami
Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, claiming 24 wickets
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has slammed the conspiracy theories circulating among former Pakistani cricketers during the 2023 World Cup regarding the ball change.
Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the World Cup, claiming 24 wickets in merely seven matches at an impressive average of 10.70. He joined the Indian XI when Hardik Pandya sustained an injury in their match against Bangladesh in Pune, marking his entry with two remarkable five-wicket hauls in three initial matches.
After India's game against Sri Lanka at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where Shami dismantled their batting lineup for a mere 55 runs, securing figures of 5-18 in just five overs, former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza aired a conspiracy theory on a Pakistani news channel. Raza suggested that the balls provided to India should be inspected, hinting that they might belong to a different category, aiding them in generating more swing and seam.
“Here I feel like the ball is getting changed mid-innings the way it is behaving. Whether it is the ICC that is providing the balls, or the umpires panel, or the BCCI, there should be an inspection on it. I think the balls should be checked,” Raza said.
He had also complained of DRS calls going in India’s favour: “We have also seen that some DRS decisions have gone in favour of India. There have been seven to eight DRS calls that have been close that have gone in India’s favour.”
Meanwhile, Shami has spoken about the comments and expressed disappointment.
“I wasn’t playing [initially]. When I played, I took a five-for, then a four-for in the next game, then another five-for. Now what can I do if a few Pakistan players can’t digest this fact?” Shami told Puma in an interview.
“Because in their minds, they think they are the best. Best are those who perform at the right time. Those who work hard, perform, and stand up for the team, they are the best according to me.
“Now you are creating controversies about that saying, “You have been given a different coloured ball,” “You have been given a ball from a different company,” “ICC has given you separate balls,” etc. Dude, please do better.”
A few days after the ball-change theories started generating traction in Pakistan following Raza’s comments, Wasim Akram debunked them saying that they brought shame onto Pakistan as a whole.
“I want to have the same thing these guys are having, sounds like fun. Please don’t bring disrespect onto our country in front of the world along with yourself,” said Akram.
Shami referred to Akram’s remarks and mentioned that even though a cricketing legend like him explained the mechanics of ball picking, the comments continued unabated. “The same thing was explained in an interview by Wasim [Akram] bhai. How balls arrive in a box, how they are chosen, which team chooses first. Even then!” said Shami.
“This would be understandable if you’re not a player who has played at this level. But you’re an ex-player. If you talk like this, I don’t think people will have anything else to say other than laughing at you. I accept that I might be a bit harsh, but I have to speak out for such things.”
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