Mohammad Shami is the first Indian bowler to claim multiple 5-wicket hauls in ODI World Cups.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja heaped praise on India’s senior pacer Mohammad Shami for his stellar performance against New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Shami's exceptional five-wicket haul led Team India to a thrilling 4-wicket victory over the Black Caps at Dharamshala's HPCA Stadium on October 22.
Shami's performance against New Zealand during India’s fifth straight win at the CWC 2023 not only showcased his remarkable skill but also carried a powerful message.
Actually, Shami was on the bench for the first four matches, but when he got the opportunity against New Zealand, the senior speedster grabbed the chance with both hands to prove himself under pressure.
Meanwhile, Raja hailed India's bench strength, highlighting that even India’s backup players are ready to step into the playing XI seamlessly and win the matches for the team. He also said that Shami is a match-winner and he should have played at the CWC 2023 from the first match.
Ramiz Raja said on his YouTube Channel: “It is very tough to take a five-wicket haul after being benched. It was a very big performance. This is why India are so strong. The players on the bench are very capable of replacing any member of the playing XI and winning the Player of the Match award.”
He added, “Shami was phenomenal in the death overs. He proved a point. Shami should have played a lot earlier, as he is a match-winner. India powered their way back into the game during the death overs. It would have been a lot tougher had the score been somewhere around 310.”
Raja signed off by saying, “India's fast bowling in the last 10 overs was world-class. Once upon a time, Pakistan used to bowl like this. India have become a top-quality team with the ball. They have a killer combination in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami.”