by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has responded to the controversial allegations made by former Pakistani cricketer Hasan Raza. Raza claimed that the Indian bowlers were using different balls, and he urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to inspect the balls used by the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma.
“We’ve observed that when they’re batting, they perform exceptionally well, but when India is bowling, the ball seems to behave differently. There have been 7-8 close DRS (Decision Review System) calls that have gone in their favor. The way Siraj and Shami were swinging the ball, it seemed like the ICC or the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) were providing them with unusual and suspicious balls in the second innings. There should be an examination of the cricket ball. There could also be an extra layer of coating on the ball to aid swing,” Raza had stated.
The aforementioned statement by Raza was also criticized by former Pakistani cricket great Wasim Akram. “I’ve been reading about this for the last two days. I want to have whatever these guys are having; it sounds like fun. It’s a distraction. You’re not only embarrassing yourself but us as well,” Akram had said in response to Raza’s statement.
In his recent Instagram story, Shami wrote, “Feel ashamed, and focus on the game. Celebrate the success of others. This is an ICC event, not some local tournament. Even your own former player Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) had clarified it for you. Have trust in your own player Wasim Akram at least”
