All-round Shami helps Bengal reach quarters
Showing no signs of rust, Mohammed Shami carried Bengal to the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by smashing a game-changing 17-ball 32 and bowling 13 dot balls in his four overs that paved the way for his team’s thrilling three-run win against Chandigarh here Monday.
With no clarity over his international comeback, the 34-year-old played his eighth SMAT T20 game in 16 days and has bowled his full quota in almost all the games.
On the day, he first used the long handle to a good effect, taking 19 runs off seasoned Sandeep Sharma’s final over as Bengal reached 159/9 after tottering at 114/8.
He crunched two sixes and three fours, mostly flashing through point region but the final wicket stand of 21 off 10 balls with Sayan Ghosh proved crucial.
Ghosh (4/30), who is known to be a death overs specialist, then bowled a brilliant final over where 11 runs were required and Chandigarh were restricted to 156/9.
Compared to his first Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh where he looked overweight and slightly paunchy despite bowling 42 overs, Monday’s Shami looked leaner and the famous upright seam presentation was very much there.
During the Ranji match, many experts debated how his follow-through, which is pretty straight, was ending towards cover which is an indication that he was unable to complete his action. But on Monday, the follow-through looked straighter.
