New Delhi: Amidst reports of being an SOS call-up in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia Down Under, Mohammed Shami produced a match-winning display in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s premier T20 cricket competition. Reports of India considering Shami’s call-up have been doing the rounds since India’s dismal loss in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Shami, who is currently in the middle of his final stages of rehabilitation, is talked up as a possible option for India in the Brisbane Test starting on December 14, Saturday as the visitors seek more support for Jasprit Bumrah to bolster their bowling attack.
Shami’s BGT call-up reports dominate headlines
During the post-match presser in Adelaide, skipper Rohit Sharma said that the doors are open for Shami but was circumspect about the chances of his return to international cricket. Shami, who is yet to receive clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to play international cricket, made a comeback to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy last month. He is currently representing Bengal in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and displayed his all-around skills in the pre-quarterfinal match against Chandigarh.
Shami shines with bat and ball
Sent into bat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Bengal’s innings was rescued by a blazing cameo down the order by Shami. Reeling at 91 for 6 in the 12th over, Bengal reached a competitive total of 159 for 9 in 20 overs thanks to a sensational knock by Shami. The veteran pacer, who knows how to use a long handle, took Chandigarh bowlers to the cleaners and scored a 17-ball unbeaten 32-run knock, which was studded with three boundaries and two maximums.
Chasing 160, Chandigarh agonisingly fell short by 3 runs as Bengal entered the quarter-finals in thrilling fashion. Mohammed Shami was pivotal to the victory as he set the tone for the win with a wicket of Arslan Khan in the first over. However, it was Sayan Ghosh who stole the show with the ball, picking up foyur wickets for 30 runs. Under immense pressure, Ghosh bowled the last over and successfully defended 11 runs to seal Bengal’s win.
Bengal enter quarterfinals 🙌
What a thriller! 🔥
Sayan Ghosh defends 11 off the final over to win it for Bengal 👏
They beat Chandigarh by 3 runs, defending 159.#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/u42rkbUfTJ pic.twitter.com/ZjwGJT0gh8
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 9, 2024
While Ghosh stole the limelight with the ball, all the post-match talks will be centred around Shami, who, if fully fit, could prove to be decisive for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both Bumrah and Shami complement each other and India could use their lethal partnership in their bid to bounce back from a horrendous defeat in the pink-ball Test at the Adelaide Oval.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Mohammed Shami delivers a sensational performance in Bengal’s thrilling 3-run win over Chandigarh in SMAT pre-quarterfinals. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
