Bengal’s Mohammed Shami orchestrated a stunning all-round performance, single-handedly propelling his team to a nail-biting three-run victory over Chandigarh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Monday. The electrifying match, held in Bengaluru, saw Shami deliver a masterclass that showcased his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.
Shami’s contribution wasn’t limited to his renowned bowling prowess. Batting at the precarious number ten position, with Bengal teetering at 114/8 in the 16th over, he unleashed a breathtaking display of power hitting. In a mere 17 balls, he amassed an unbeaten 32 runs, a knock studded with three fours and two towering sixes. His explosive strike rate of 188.24 completely changed the momentum of the game, elevating Bengal to a fighting total of 159/9. This incredible innings cemented his position as the second-highest scorer for Bengal, only trailing Karan Lal’s 33 runs. Other notable contributions in Bengal’s first innings came from Writtick Chatterjee (28 off 12) and Pradipta Pramanik (30 off 24), who helped recover from a shaky start after being asked to bat first by Chandigarh.
However, Shami’s impact extended far beyond his batting heroics. In the very first over of Chandigarh’s chase, he struck a crucial blow, dismissing opener Arslan Khan for a golden duck, setting a commanding tone for Bengal’s bowling attack. His disciplined spell of four overs yielded impressive figures of 1/25, featuring an economical 13 dot balls. While Manan Vohra led Chandigarh’s charge, pushing them close to Bengal’s total, Bengal’s bowlers, led by Shami and Sayan Ghosh (who claimed an impressive 4/30), held their nerve, restricting Chandigarh to 156/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
This exceptional performance comes at a pivotal moment for Shami’s career. He is currently eyeing a highly anticipated return to India’s Test squad for the remaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches against Australia. His comeback is even more remarkable considering he’s recovering from a year-long injury. His recent form speaks volumes: he’s already bowled a significant 42 overs in a Ranji Trophy match and participated in eight Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games. Although he’s yet to receive final fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), it’s widely anticipated to be a mere formality. Given his electrifying recent performances, Shami’s inclusion in the Indian Test team would provide a significant boost to their chances in the crucial series Down Under. His return would add considerable firepower to India’s bowling attack, bolstering their hopes of turning the tables against Australia.
