ICC World Cup 2023: ‘Sharm Karo’– Shami Hits Back at Hasan Raza for Absurd Claim

#CWC23 | #MohammedShami asked #HasanRaza to 'have some shame' after absurb claim of Indians using different balls.

ICC World Cup 2023: Mohammed Shami slams Hasan Raza

(Photo: PTI)

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has hit back at former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza for accusing India of using different balls to bowl during the ICC World Cup 2023.

The speedster took to Instagram to express his disappointment and said that the former cricketer shouldn’t envy India’s success and that they should focus on the game. 

“Sharm karo yaar, game par focus karo na ki faltu bakwas par, kabhi to dusre ki success ko enjoy kia karo, Chii yaar ICC World Cup hai apka local cricket tournament, nahi hai or aap player hi the naa (Have some share. Focus on the game instead of stupid discussions. Enjoy someone else's success for once. This is the ICC World Cup, not a local tournament. Were you a player?)” Shami wrote on his Instagram story.

Mohammed Shami's Instagram Story

Image: Screengrab

Shami further asked Raza to at least have faith in his compatriot; former cricketer  Wasim Akram who earlier explained how the balls are chosen in a match.

“Wasim bhai ne samjhaya hai explain kia tha phir bhi. Apne player, apne Wasim Akram par yakin nahi apko apna tarif karne main lage hai janab aap to just like a wow (Wasim Akram has explained, but you don't even trust him. You are busy praising yourself),” Shami added.

Hasan Raza’s Claim of ‘Suspicious’ Balls

Hasan Raza has accused the Indian team of deception, claiming that the ICC and BCCI are favoring Indian bowlers by providing them with special balls.

“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. An inspection is required to be done on the ball. There might be an additional layer of coating for a better swing,” Raza said. 

What Did Wasim Akram Say?

Legendary cricketer Wasim Akram, too, slammed Raza for his comments. The cricketer-turned-commentator reckoned such comments were an insult not only to Raza, but to Pakistan's entire cricket fraternity.

“I have been reading about it from last couple of days. I want to have the same things these guys are having… sounds like fun. Beizaati apni to karani hi karani saddi bhi na karwao puri duniya vich (Don’t make fun of us in front of the world, please keep those insults to yourself),” Akram said on A Sports.

To emphasize his point, Akram described how the balls are chosen prior to any match. According to the veteran, the balls that will be used are entirely up to the umpires and the match referee.

In the presence of the officials, each team is given the opportunity to select two balls from a set of twelve. 

“The on-field umpire will keep the first ball on their right and the second one on left. Then they take the remaining balls to the dressing room while being accompanied by a lot of people. I don’t know who comes up with such a conspiracy theory,” Akram revealed.