In a dazzling display of cricketing prowess, star bowler Mohammed Shami orchestrated a memorable victory for the Indian cricket team as they clinched their seventh consecutive win at the ODI World Cup. This remarkable achievement also marked India as the first team to secure a spot in the tournament’s semifinals.
Shami took center stage, leading an unrelenting bowling assault with an awe-inspiring performance, finishing with an astonishing bowling figure of 5 wickets for just 18 runs in a mere 5 overs. In a one-sided contest, India effectively dismantled Sri Lanka, restricting them to a paltry 55 runs in 19.4 overs while chasing an imposing target of 358.
This remarkable feat by Shami, playing in only his third match of the tournament, saw him amass a total of 14 wickets. In doing so, he surpassed the illustrious Zaheer Khan’s record of 44 wickets, making him India’s highest wicket-taker in the history of the ODI World Cup. The legendary Pakistani fast bowler, Wasim Akram, showered praise on Shami’s bowling excellence, emphasizing that his precise length and seam deliveries make him a formidable force on the field.
Shami’s exceptional performance earned him a place in the history books as only the second bowler in the World Cup’s annals to claim three five-wicket hauls. The first was achieved by the Australian bowler, Mitchell Starc. This accomplishment is a testament to Shami’s exceptional skills and his invaluable contributions to the Indian cricket team.
Wasim Akram lauded Shami, stating, “Five overs and 5 for 18. What a spell! He is the second bowler in the history of the World Cup to take three fifers. Only Mitchell Starc had taken before him. That’s a massive deal. And most wickets for India in the World Cup. Another record for Shami. 45 wickets now Shami has. That’s an incredible performance by him. He comes and bowls seam deliveries. From the same area, he makes the ball come in and go away and with good pace.” Shami’s remarkable achievement is a source of pride for Indian cricket fans and adds to his growing legacy as a prolific bowler on the international stage.
