Gujarat Titans (GT) opened their IPL 2022 campaign in an impressive fashion as they registered a thrilling five-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last Monday (March 28).
Pacer Mohammad Shami starred with the ball in GT’s victory, returning with the figures of 3 for 25 in his four overs.
For his Player-of-the-Match performance, Shami received rich praise from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.
Taking to Twitter, Irfan’s hailed Shami’s skills with the new ball, stating: "There are not many in World Cricket who uses new ball better than Mohammed shami!"
To which, a Pakistani journalist replied: "THEY CAN'T PLAY HIM", referring to Shaheen Afridi’s spell against India in the T20 World Cup last year and taking a dig at Shami’s wicketless outing in the same match.
However, Pathan was quick to respond to the jibe as he shut down the journalist by calling him a 'sasta expert'.
"In the 2003 World Cup, Wasim Akram (Legend) couldn't beat Sachin Tendulkar's (Legend) bat. Does it mean he couldn't bowl?? #sasteexperts," the former India cricketer wrote.
Mohammad Shami will now be seen in action in Gujarat Titans’ second IPL 2022 clash against Delhi Capitals at the MCA Stadium in Pune on April 2.