The World Cup 2023 witnessed a dazzling display of cricketing prowess, and one name that echoed through the tournament was Mohammed Shami. However, Shami found himself in the midst of controversy, responding fiercely to statements made by former Pakistani players.
Shami bagged 23 wickets during the World Cup 2023. His extraordinary feat catapulted him to the position of the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
Responding to the former Pakistani players’ hints that the ICC favoured Indian bowlers with different balls, Shami initially took to Instagram to rebuke these claims. However, this was just the beginning of a heated exchange.
After the World Cup, Shami escalated the situation by directly scolding the Pakistani players, asserting that they couldn’t digest his success. In an interview, he expressed his disappointment.
Shami said, “I pray that many more bowlers perform like this and come forward. I am not jealous of anyone. If you learn to enjoy the success of others, If you take, then I think you will become an even better player. Shami further said, see, when I was performing, took 4 and then 5 wickets in the first match, then some players of Pakistan could not digest this success of mine.”
Addressing the controversy, Shami highlighted the importance of performing when it matters for the team. He dismissed claims of receiving different balls, challenging the Pakistani players to “get better.”
Mohammed Shami gave a hard reply to Pakistan. 🔥 https://t.co/IYOCJ9tuOh
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 22, 2023
Shami expressed, “Ever since the World Cup was going on, I have been hearing for many days that… some Pakistani players were not able to digest my simplicity. What should I do? They have this in their mind that we are the best. Brother, he is the best. Those who perform on time. I only believe in those who work hard and perform when the time comes for the team. Now, you are in it, creating controversy. You are getting a different ball; the colour of your ball is different…ICC has given you a different ball.”
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In the interview, Shami referenced the insights shared by the legendary Wasim Akram. He underlined how Akram explained the intricacies of how the ball comes into play, questioning the credibility of former cricketers making baseless claims.
Shami further said in the interview, “You see, Wasim Bhai has also explained the same things in an interview that how the ball comes in the box, how the ball gets to the team. Even after that… then it is understood. You are not a player…but you have played cricket, yet…you are a former cricketer, and even after this, you are saying such things. In such a situation, people will definitely laugh at your words. Shami further said that, After hearing such things, I also shared the post. But yes, I am bitter to say it, but I did whatever I felt at that time.”
