WATCH: Mohammed Shami stars with 17-ball 32 to set stage for Bengal’s win vs Chandigarh in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Cricket News
Mohammad Shami kept himself firmly in the limelight when he smashed a 17-ball 32 runs with he bat and then came on to bowl 13 dot balls and took 1 wicket to help Bengal defeat Chandigarh at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
With the bat, he smashed two sixes and three fours, taking 19 runs off Sandeep Sharma’s over, the final of the innings, helping Bengal post 159.
He would then return with the ball, snapping up Chandigarh opener Arsalan Z Khan off just his third delivery. He bowled at an average speed of 135 clicks with one delivery even cranking in the range of 139 kmph.
Bengal have set a target of 160 in front of Chandigarh 🎯
Mohd. Shami provides a crucial late surge with 32*(17)
Karan Lal top-scored with 33 (25)
Jagjit Singh Sandhu was the pick of the Chandigarh bowlers with 4/21#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/u42rkbUfTJ pic.twitter.com/gQ32b5V9LN
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 9, 2024
Chandigarh would ultimately lose the match 3 runs, posting 156.
Meanwhile, as reported this newspaper a couple of days ago, The Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting National Cricket Academy’s nod to fly Shami to Australia for the remaining three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The senior selection committee is awaiting the latest fitness test results from NCA for his inclusion in the Test squad.
It is understood that the BCCI has already prepared the clothing for the pacer and even his visa is ready and once declared fit, will fly to Australia at the earliest.
Though India got off to a winning start at Perth, they missed Shami’s presence in the Adelaide pink-ball Test which the visitors lost 10 wickets.
On Sunday, captain Rohit Sharma said the team management is concerned about Mohammed Shami’s fitness but suggested doors are open for the Indian speedster to join India’s Test squad in Australia.
“We are just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali, he got some swelling in his knee, which hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match,” Rohit told reporters after India’s ten-wicket loss.
“We want to be very careful, we don’t want to bring him here, he pulls up sore or something happens.
“We want to be more than 100% sure with him because it has been a long time. We don’t want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team.
