Ace pacer Mohammed Shami is currently under the spotlight as the Indian team management and NCA doctors closely monitor his fitness. Sidelined with an ankle injury after the ODI World Cup 2024, Shami recently marked his return to cricket in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2024). His impressive performance in the league stage, where he claimed eight wickets, was pivotal in helping Bengal advance to the pre-quarterfinals against Chandigarh.
In the knockout game, Bengal found themselves in trouble early, reeling at 21/3. With their top-order faltering, the team desperately needed a rescue act. While Writtick Chatterjee’s 28 off 12 balls and Pradipta Pramanik’s 30 provided some stability, the onus fell on Shami to deliver a game-changing performance.
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Rising to the occasion, the seasoned pacer showcased his batting prowess with a scintillating cameo, smashing an unbeaten 32 off 17 deliveries. His knock, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, propelled Bengal to a respectable total of 159 runs. Mohammed Shami’s contributions weren’t limited to the bat; he made an immediate impact with the ball, claiming a wicket in the very first over.
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
However, Bengal faces a tough challenge in maintaining their momentum to secure a win. For Shami, this game holds additional significance as he aims to secure a spot in the ongoing Test series against Australia.
Rohit Sharma recently provided an update on Shami’s fitness, revealing that the pacer has developed a swollen knee but was deemed fit to play the pre-quarters. If Shami continues his strong form, he could be a vital asset for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
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Meanwhile, reports suggest that the NCA doctors and BCCI officials have advised Shami to reduce his body fat to meet fitness benchmarks for the Test team. He is actively working on his conditioning, and a final decision on his inclusion is expected during the third Test.
