Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami has come under fire from the Pakistan cricket community following his recent comments about former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq. Shami’s remarks were in response to allegations made by Inzamam, who had accused Indian bowlers of ball tampering during recent ICC events.
Inzamam, during the 2024 T20 World Cup, suggested that India may have used a modified ball with an embedded chip to enhance swing. He specifically targeted Arshdeep Singh, claiming the left-arm fast bowler managed to reverse swing the ball unusually early in their match against Australia.
Shami’s reaction to these claims was dismissive, labeling Inzamam’s statements as “cartoonish.” This choice of words has drawn sharp criticism from Pakistan’s cricket fraternity. Former Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt and Basit Ali have expressed their discontent with Shami’s language, arguing that it was disrespectful towards a figure of Inzamam’s stature.
Basit Ali, in particular, criticized Shami for his lack of respect towards Inzamam, emphasizing that such remarks are unbecoming of a professional cricketer. “When Shami refers to Inzi bhai as a cartoon, it’s not right. Inzamam has led his country with distinction. Shami, your choice of words was poor and hurtful,” Basit stated. He advised Shami to be more respectful towards senior players and to communicate his disagreements more thoughtfully.
Basit further expressed disappointment, describing Shami’s comments as “behuda” (indecent), and urged him to be more careful with his language. “You need to be more cautious with your words. Your elders likely taught you to speak with respect. Such language is inappropriate,” Basit added.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions and sensitivities in cricketing interactions between India and Pakistan, reflecting the broader context of their sportsmanship and competitive dynamics.