Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has replied to Pakistan anchor Hasan Raza's comments, claiming that the host nation used altered balls to their advantage during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has slammed former Pakistan cricket Hasan Raza after the latter claimed that the host nation was using altered balls for their benefit during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The Indian bowling unit has been a force to be reckoned with in the tournament, helping the team register eight wins out of their eight league stage games. (Full Coverage)
“The way Siraj and Shami were swinging the ball, it seemed like the ICC or the BCCI were giving them different and suspicious balls in the second innings. It seemed like the ball started doing things. An inspection is required to be done on the ball. There might be an additional layer of coating for a better swing,” Hasan Raza said on local news channel ABN News.
Shami took to social media to silence Raza's claims, stating that the former pro should, at the very least, take the words of his own compatriot - and cricketing legend - Wasim Akram.
“Have some shame. Focus on the game and not this nonsense. Sometimes, you should enjoy the success of others. This is World Cup and not your local tournament. You were once a player, right? Wasim bhai had explained it, and yet. You don’t trust your own player? You are only praising yourself,” Shami replied.
Looking to enter the semi-finals with a perfect record, India take on the Netherlands on November 12, 2023, in Bengaluru.