India pacer Mohammad Shami slammed a few former Pakistan players for creating unnecessary controversies during the recent ICC World Cup 2023 tournament. Shami ended the CWC as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps to his name.
Shami only played 7 matches in the CWC 2023 as he warmed the bench for the first four games. It was only Hardik Pandya's unfortunate ankle injury that brought Shami into the picture, after which he didn't look back.
The right-arm pacer from Amroha proceeded to pick up three five-wicket hauls, including the career-best figures of 7/57. He also became the fastest to complete 50 wickets in ODI World Cups. However, he couldn’t continue that form in the final against Australia in Ahmedabad, which India lost.
Mohammad Shami recently slammed a few former Pakistani players for their harebrained theories during the CWC tournament. He said that their attempts to grab attention with their controversial comments only showed them in poor light.
One of those ex-Pakistani players was Hasan Raza, who alleged that Indian bowlers were being given different balls by ICC and BCCI from other teams.
"I wasn't playing at the start of the World Cup. When I did, I took five wickets, then four in the next match, then five again. Kuchh Pakistan players ko yeh baat hajam nahi ho rahi thi, mai kya karu (some of the Pakistan players couldn't digest it, so what can I do)," Shami said in a clip from his interview with a sportswear brand.
"Mujhe to kabhi jalan hoti nahi. You can become a better player if you learn to enjoy the success of others as well," he added.
Shami stated that certain Pakistani players believe there is no one better than them, which is why they made those comments, which backfired on them.
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"What they have in their mind is that 'we are the best'. Best woh hota hai jo time pe perform kare (one who performs when needed is the best)...But you are continuing to create controversy out of it, that they (Indian bowlers) are getting a different color ball, different company ball. Sudhar jao yaar (start behaving)," the 33-year-old Indian pacer added.
Wasim Akram, Pakistan's fast-bowling icon, expressed his disgust with Raza's remarks and even described how the ball is chosen by the umpires in cooperation with both teams.
"Wasim (Akram) bhai had explained the same thing in an interview, that how the process of selecting a ball happens," said Shami.
"I can still understand if it's not a player (who is making such comments)...But you are an ex-player. I don't think people can react in any other way than laugh about such things. "I accept that I can be a bit bitter with my words, but aisi cheez pe to bolna padega (but have to call out such things),” Shami said.
