Mohammed Shami: ‘That’s a lot of wickets…’: Mohammed Shami’s World Cup records amaze Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Experienced India pacer Mohammed Shami impressed all with his wicket-taking abilities in the two matches he has played for India in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup, taking nine wickets at an outstanding average of just 8.44.
After starting with a five-wicket haul (5/54) against New Zealand in Dharamsala, Shami again led the wickets column for India against England on Sunday.He returned figures of 4 for 22 in Lucknow as the hosts thumped the defending champions by 100 runs for their sixth win in a row.

Pakistan legends Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq and Moin Khan were bowled over by Shami’s ‘exceptional’ World Cup record, which reads 40 wickets from just 13 matches at 14.07.

“What a World Cup he is having, man! Whenever he plays..just the way he hits the seam..har ball par seam lagti hein. His record in the World Cup is — in 13 matches, he’s got 40 wickets. That’s a lot of wickets. Exceptional!!” Akram said on ‘A Sports’.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah then explained how as a batter it’s difficult to face seamers like Shami.
“As a batter, we somehow manage to tackle swing as we can observe from the bowler’s hand and you have 20 metres distance to react. But seam bowlers are making the ball talk from five metres in front of you. You are on the line of the delivery and suddenly after landing it moves from the seam. And off the wicket the ball becomes faster too,” Misbah explained.

“Swing is in the air, and seam is when the ball hits the pitch with the seam,” Misbah and Akram together differentiate the two deliveries for the fans.
“You don’t get much time to decide your shot. You are already playing on the line of the ball, so if it seam inside or outside it can beat my bat from both sides. And after landing, Shami’s ball looks like it doubled its speed,” Misbah added.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Moin added how two bowlers bowling well in tandem is very important for the team.

“Like with batting, partnership in bowling is very important. If one takes wicket on one end and batters start putting pressure on the other end and start making easy runs then partnership can’t build up. The way Bumrah starts along with Siraj, even though openers added 30 runs, which shows a bit of stability in England’s batting. But the quality of India’s bowling was outstanding. Indians were clear that they have to win the match, they know the conditions of the pitch, their captain (Rohit Sharma) played for 36 overs on it. He knows if they have to stop run flow on this pitch, which length to bowl and the way they maintain that length and line is good,” Moin said.

India are now at the top of the World Cup points table with 12 points after the win against England. Continuing their unbeaten streak, Rohit Sharma led side will now face Sri Lanka in their next match on Thursday.