New Delhi: Mohamed Shiraz was handed his international debut in the Sri Lankan shirt during the first One-Day International match against India played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (August 2). The 29-year-old Shiraz joined fellow uncapped pacer Eshan Malinga to make their debut in the ODI format.
Shiraz’s opportunity comes on the back of frontline seamers getting hit by injuries. With the likes of Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, and Nuwan Thushara not match-ready for the first ODI against India, an opportunity, inevitably, banged on the door of the Kandy-born pacer to announce himself at the international circuit.
Mohamed Shiraz receives his ODI debut cap for Sri Lanka! Congratulations and all the best for your journey with the national team. Make us proud! #SLvIND 🇱🇰🏏 pic.twitter.com/n59louQXNS
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 2, 2024
Mohamed Shiraz is a right-arm seamer who has the ability to bowl at 140kph speeds. He has been a regular feature in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket competitions for the last seven years. Incidentally, Shiraz’s impressive figures of 6 for 21 for Burgher Recreation Club against Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club on Tuesday (July 30) was instrumental for the bowler to get the nod for The Lions.
He has claimed 80 dismissal from 47 List A matches at an average of 17.52 with three five-wicket hauls, including his recent best figures (6/21) against Kurunegala.
The cricket journey of Mohamed Shiraz till now
Mohamed Shiraz started his journey with the sport in 2008 when he was 13. He played for his college Madeena Central and was coached by Mohammed Rikaas and Mohammed Rajmi during his childhood. He made his debut in domestic cricket for Colts Cricket Club in November 2016 in the first-class tournament of Premier League Tournament Tier A.
However, it was the year 2018 that turned out to be his breakthrough period. While playing for Burgher Recreation Club, Shiraz accounted for 21 wickets in total, including two back-to-back five-wicket hauls. This magnificent show earned him a call for the Sri Lanka A team in 2019 against Ireland A. He picked up four wickets on his debut innings and then claimed six in total in that match. This is a mark from where the right-arm pacer has excelled over the years and made his way to the Sri Lankan team.
Mohamed Shiraz is a right-arm seamer who has the ability to bowl at 140kph speeds. He has been a regular feature in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket competitions for the last seven years. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
