Mohammed Shami Responds To Inzamam Ul Haq’s Controversial Ball-Tampering Allegation Against Arshdeep Singh

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/20th July 2024

During the T20 World Cup 2024, former Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq made a controversial accusation against Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh. Inzamam indirectly suggested that Arshdeep was tampering with the ball during his spell against Australia. He pointed out that Arshdeep managed to reverse swing the ball as early as the 15th over, which seemed suspiciously early for a new ball. Inzamam implied that significant preparation must have been done by the 12th or 13th over to achieve such reverse swing, urging umpires to be vigilant about such occurrences. He added that if Pakistani bowlers had displayed similar abilities, it would have sparked major concerns and scrutiny, as Pakistan is well-known for its mastery of reverse swing.

In response to these allegations, India’s star bowler Mohammed Shami, the leading wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup 2023, strongly defended his teammate and criticized the claims. Shami himself had faced bizarre accusations during the 2023 World Cup when former Pakistan player Hasan Raza claimed that India used balls with implanted devices to aid swing, which allegedly explained Shami’s impressive performance.

Expressing his frustration, Shami said, “I have previously stated that I would cut open the ball to prove there is no device inside. Now, there’s another baseless claim about Arshdeep Singh’s reverse swing. I have immense respect for Inzamam bhai, but if performing well against them equates to ball-tampering, then it’s an unfair accusation. These allegations target those who perform well against Pakistan, as India and Pakistan have a long-standing rivalry.”

Shami further addressed the issue on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, questioning the credibility of such statements from former players. He highlighted that even Wasim Akram, a legendary Pakistani bowler, acknowledged that umpires control the condition of the ball, making it impossible to plant any device inside it. Shami dismissed the allegations as “cartoongiri,” suggesting that these statements were made to mislead people and undermine the achievements of the Indian bowlers.

The controversy surrounding Inzamam’s comments has fueled further tension between the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan. Both teams have a storied history of fierce competition and mutual scrutiny, especially regarding their respective cricketing performances. Such allegations of ball-tampering, often sensationalized in the media, add to the already intense rivalry and create a charged atmosphere during major tournaments.

Inzamam’s remarks about Arshdeep Singh and the subsequent defense by Mohammed Shami reflect the ongoing friction between the two cricketing nations. While Inzamam’s comments were likely meant to draw attention to potential foul play, they also underscore the need for clear evidence before making such serious accusations. The ICC and match officials maintain strict protocols to ensure fair play, and baseless allegations can damage the integrity of the game.

As the cricketing world watches closely, the focus remains on the performances on the field and the adherence to the spirit of the game. The T20 World Cup 2024 continues to showcase exceptional talent and intense competition, with players like Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami proving their skills and resilience against criticism. The rivalry between India and Pakistan, marked by moments of brilliance and controversy, continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide.