'Can't digest my success', India's Shami takes jibe at Pakistan's ex-cricketer

Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami, slamming those fuelling conspiracy theories regarding his World Cup 2023 performance, has said that some players in Pakistan "cannot digest his success".

The right-arm pacer, who only made it to India's playing XI after Hardik Pandya got injured, became the tournament's top wicket-taker after taking 24 wickets at an astounding average of 10.70 in just seven matches.

Following Shami's five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka where the Islanders were bowled out for a mere 55 runs against the hosts, former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza suggested that the balls being used by the Indian side were of a "different category" and were aiding the home team with additional swing, seam movement.

“Here I feel like the ball is getting changed mid-innings the way it is behaving. Whether it is the ICC that is providing the balls, the umpires panel, or the BCCI, there should be an inspection on it. I think the balls should be checked,” Raza said.

He had also complained about the Decision Review System (DRS) calls going in India’s favour: “We have also seen that some DRS decisions have gone in favour of India. There have been seven to eight DRS calls that have been close that have gone in India’s favour.”

Responding to Raza's remarks, Shami expressed disappointment and said that some Pakistani players can't digest his World Cup performance.

“I wasn’t playing [initially]. When I played, I took a five-for, then a four-for in the next game, then another five-for. Now what can I do if a few Pakistan players can’t digest this fact?” Shami said in an interview with Puma.

“Because in their [Pakistani players] minds, they think they are the best. Best [bowlers] are those who perform at the right time. Those who work hard, perform and stand up for the team, [they] are the best according to me."

“Now you [Raza] are creating controversies about that saying, [India] have been given a different coloured ball, or a ball from a different company [or that] ICC has given different balls,” etc. Dude, please do better [than that],” he added.

A few days after the ball-change theories started generating traction in Pakistan following Raza’s comments, legendary pacer Wasim Akram debunked them saying that they brought shame onto Pakistan as a whole.

“I want to have [consume] the same thing these guys are having, sounds like fun. Please don’t bring disrespect onto our country in front of the world along with yourself,” Akram said on a private channel.

Shami also referred to Akram’s remarks and mentioned that even though a cricketing legend like him explained the mechanics of ball picking, the comments continued unabated. 

“The same thing was explained in an interview by Wasim bhai. How balls arrive in a box, how they are chosen, which team chooses first. Even then! [you are making such absurd claims],” the Indian fast bowler said.

“This would be understandable if you’re not a player who has played at this level. But you’re an ex-player. If you talk like this, I don’t think people will have anything else to say other than laugh at you. I accept that I might be a bit harsh, but I have to speak out [on] such things,” he concluded.