Mohammed Shami Defends Arshdeep Singh Amid Ball-Tampering Allegations
New Delhi: Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has strongly rebutted allegations of ball-tampering against his teammate Arshdeep Singh, following remarks by former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq during the T20 World Cup 2024.
Inzamam had questioned the authenticity of Arshdeep’s ability to generate reverse swing during India’s Super 8 match against Australia, where the young pacer played a pivotal role in securing a 24-run victory with three crucial wickets.
While Rohit Sharma was awarded Player of the Match for his explosive batting, Arshdeep’s performance garnered praise for his skillful bowling, dismissing key Australian batsmen including David Warner and Tim David.
In response to Inzamam’s skepticism, Mohammed Shami defended Arshdeep during an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, criticizing the former captain’s remarks as baseless. Shami, known for his expertise in reverse swing, emphasized the integrity of his teammate and the sport itself.
“I want to say only one thing to Inzamam bhai. I respect him a lot. If you do the same thing, isn’t it ball-tampering? Those who do well against them, will be their target. India and Pakistan are arch-rivals,” Shami stated firmly, addressing the controversy.
Shami further urged former cricketers to refrain from making unfounded accusations that could mislead the public, citing the strict regulation of ball conditions by umpires. He supported the views of legendary Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram, who had previously dismissed the notion of tampering to achieve reverse swing.
Arshdeep Singh emerged as a standout performer for India in the T20 World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with 17 dismissals across eight matches, notably achieving a four-wicket haul against the United States.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions and scrutiny surrounding competitive cricket, especially in matches involving traditional rivals like India and Pakistan, amid heightened scrutiny of player performances and integrity on the field.
