Mohammed Shami slams Pakistan over Inzamam-ul-Haq ball-tampering allegations: ‘They will never please India’

Mohammed Shami has reacted to the “ball-tampering” allegations made by Inzamam-ul-Haq against Arshdeep Singh during the T20 World Cup 2024. During a conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show “Unplugged”, the ace Indian fast bowler mentioned similar allegations made against him by former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza during the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“They have never been happy for us and they never will be happy for us,” Shami said.

Shami said he was criticised for using a different type of ball in the World Cup. He had previously said in an interview that he still had his man-of-the-match ball and would carve it out one day.

“Abhi ek namuna aur khod ke diya hai inhone ki Arshdeep ne reverse kaise kardiya (There is another statement on how Arshdeep reverse-swinged the ball),” he said, referring to the former Pakistan captain’s comments.

If Pakistan can reverse swing they are artists, but when other countries do it it is called tampering with the ball, Shami said.

Shami also said it was “unexpected” that someone of Inzamam’s stature would make such comments, and he suggested such “cartoonish” comments might have gone over well elsewhere.

“This is all a ploy to fool the masses. Players should focus more on working on their technique. Reverse swing is not magic. You have to keep the ball well, be well prepared and hit everything with precision. They know it. The world knows it too,” Shami added.

Pakistan found to have tampered with the ball

No one would tamper with the ball during a cricket match with 40 cameras around, he added. “Now it’s possible.”

“If you still think India did it, then catch them red-handed and show the world. After all, India were the first to tamper with the ball. They were the ones who got caught,” Shami said.

He added that instead of looking for other countries’ shortcomings, Pakistan should focus on its own and select better players to win matches.