Mohammed Shami shown once again that he will not go down without a fight. Despite being passed over for another international series, the Bengal speedster provided an outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Services on Thursday, December 4.
Fans were beginning to assume that Shami will make his international comeback during the Test series against South Africa, following good performances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. However, the selectors chose his state teammate Akash Deep over him in the Test squad.
While Shami kept performing in domestic cricket and turning matches in India’s favor, he found himself left out of the ODI squad against South Africa. Fans felt that Shami’s experience would have been handy against Temba Bavuma’s men, especially with main bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested.
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Shami was performing well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy prior to India naming its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. However, the squad that was announced had no Shami.
Shami took that blow on Thursday and produced his A-game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad to lead Bengal against Services. After Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran won the toss and chose to bowl first, Shami struck with his very first delivery, dismissing Gaurav Kochar.
Mohammed Shami dismissed the dangerous Ravi Chauhan in his second over. The right-arm seamer conceded only six runs and picked two wickets in his first spell of a couple of overs. Shami then got rid of Nakul Sharma and Vishal Gaur in the same over to end with sensational figures of 4/13 in 3.2 overs.
Services were bundled out for 165 in 18.2 overs. In reply, Bengal knocked down the runs in 15.1 overs on the back of adventurous half-centuries from Easwaran and Abishek Porel. The young Yuvraj Keswani was quite impressive as well, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 19 balls. Akash Deep, who picked up three wickets, remained unbeaten on 14 off five balls.
The seven-wicket victory has taken Bengal back to the top of Elite Group C with 16 points from five matches. They will clash with Puducherry on Saturday, December 6.
