Shami responds to cheating accusations in World Cup. In the wake of his stellar performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has found himself at the center of controversy as former Pakistani player Hasan Raza accused the Indian team of cheating.
Shami emerged as the top wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming an impressive 24 scalps in just seven matches, propelling India to the final.
Shami’s journey in the World Cup was not without hurdles, as he was initially excluded from India’s playing XI, only entering the fray after an injury sidelined Hardik Pandya for the first four matches.
However, once given the opportunity, Shami made an indelible impact with two five-wicket hauls and a four-wicket performance in the subsequent seven games.
The accusations of cheating, particularly the claim that Indian bowlers were provided with different balls than their opponents, stirred a strong reaction from Shami.
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In an interview with Puma, Shami expressed his astonishment at the allegations, stating, “I was hearing a lot since the last couple of days. I was not a part of the Playing XI in the initial matches. When I was drafted into the team, I took 5 wickets. In the next two games, I dismissed 4 and 5 batters. Some of the Pakistan players couldn’t digest my success. Actually, they think they are the best. According to me, a player who performs on time is the best.”
The seasoned pacer urged a positive outlook, saying, “I pray to god that 10 bowlers come up with my kind of performance. I am not jealous of anyone. If you start enjoying the success of others, you will become a better player.”
Shami also questioned the credibility of the accusations, particularly coming from a former player like Hasan Raza. “They were creating unwanted controversy. They said we were getting different types of balls. Even Wasim (Akram) bhai explained the whole process of ball selection in one of his shows. I understand if something of this sort comes up from a person who hasn’t been a player. You have played cricket, you are an ex-player, shouldn’t make such statements,” he concluded.
As Shami responds to cheating accusations in World Cup, the controversy highlights the intensity of cricketing rivalries, with players often having to navigate external noise to stay focused on their game. Shami’s response underscores his commitment to his performance and his disappointment in the unnecessary controversy stirred by the accusations.
