Mohammad Shami Fires Back At Inzamam-ul-Haq For His Statement On Arshdeep Singh

In cricket, as in any other sport, roasting and accusing opponents is a common practice. Players often engage in verbal sparring to unsettle their rivals. However, this can backfire when the tables turn, as seen when Mohammad Shami responded to former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. Shami took the opportunity to return the jibes at Inzamam-ul-Haq for accusing Arshdeep Singh of ball-tampering during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Inzamam-ul-Haq accused Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh of ball-tampering against Australia in WC 2024

Inzamam-ul-Haq recently sparked controversy by alleging that Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh managed to reverse swing the ball in the 15th over against Australia, claiming such a feat was impossible without foul play. He called on umpires to keep a closer watch on the Indian players, insinuating they were involved in suspicious activities. Inzamam said on the “World Cup Hungama” Show on Pakistan’s 24 News channel as we quote,

“Arshdeep Singh was able to reverse swing the ball in the 15th over. Isn’t it too early for the new ball to start reverse-swing? The ball was ready to reverse by the 12th-13th over. Umpires should be alert. If Arshdeep was able to reverse the ball, some work was done on it.”

These allegations provoked a strong backlash from Indian fans and cricketers, who criticized Inzamam for making baseless accusations against their team.

Mohammad Shami fires back at Inzamam-ul-Haq’s allegations

Mohammad Shami has vehemently responded to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s recent accusations regarding Arshdeep Singh’s ability to reverse swing the ball in the 15th over against Australia.

Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Shami addressed the allegations head-on, recalling a previous instance during the 2023 ODI World Cup when he was accused of tampering with the ball using a device. He expressed his disappointment in Inzamam, who he believes is a respected figure in cricket, for making such unfounded statements. Shami pointed out the irony in the accusations by stating that,

“They are the ones who started this reverse swing, and when we do it, they have a problem.”

Shami also highlighted the history of ball-tampering incidents involving Pakistani players, suggesting that these allegations were a diversion tactic to shift focus from their team’s poor performance. He remarked,

“Before saying anything to the Indian bowlers, they should remember the past incidents when their players were caught while tampering with the ball.”

Shami criticized the Pakistani cricket establishment for misleading the public and resorting to baseless claims when under pressure. His strong response not only defends Arshdeep Singh but also emphasizes the unity of the Indian cricket team in the face of such criticism.

Mohammad Shami challenges Pakistani players on reverse swing allegations

Mohammad Shami continued his strong rebuttal to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s allegations by challenging the notion that reverse swing involves cheating. He pointed out that Pakistani players were the pioneers of this skill and suggested that if reverse swing is achieved through dishonest means, they should be held accountable first. Shami boldly stated,

“If I visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025, I will take three balls along with me and will show them that there were no devices in them. I will cut the balls into two pieces in front of 20 people and demonstrate how reverse swing is achieved.”

Shami’s remarks underscore his confidence in himself and his teammates’ techniques, while also calling for accountability and transparency in cricket. By proposing a practical demonstration, he aims to dispel any sort of baseless accusations. If this is not being bold and truthful then what is?

What are your thoughts on the remarks made by Mohammad Shami? Do share your thoughts via the comments below.