Team India speedster Mohammed Shami came down heavily on former Pakistani players for creating conspiracy theories during World Cup 2023. Mohammed Shami lashed out at former Pakistani players accusing India of tampering with the ball and ICC of being biased on the Men In Blue. For the unversed, Hasan Raza who played for Pakistan, accused the International Cricket Council of giving different balls to the Indian bowlers to help them get seam and swing more than other teams.
In an interview for PUMA, Mohammed Shami said, "Jab khel raha that World Cup, toh 5 wickets liye, 4 wickets aur fir se 5 wickets liye. Kuch Pakistan ke players ko ye baat hajam nahi ho rahi toh mai kya karu. Kyuki unke dimaag mein ye hai ki ham best hai. Bhai best woh hota hai jo time per perform kare....aap usme controversy banaya chale ja rahe ho,,ki tumhe baal kuch aur colour ki mil rahi hai..kisi aur company ki mil rahi hai....Sudhar jao yaar (When I was playing and taking wickets in almost every matches some Pakistani players could not digest it. In their mind they think they are the best. I think, players who perform on that particular day are best. Grow up.)
What did Hasan Raza say?
Hasan Raza during a Pakistani talk show had said, "The balls given to Indian bowlers should be checked. They are getting more swing and seam. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are bowling like Allan Donald and Makhaya Ntini. Even Mathews was surprised to see the amount of swing Shami’s ball got in Mumbai. Either ICC is helping them, or BCCI is coming to help their bowlers. There could be an involvement of the third umpire as well."
Despite missing out first few matches, Mohammed Shami ended the World Cup 2023 campaign as the highest wicket-taker. In seven matches, Shami took 24 wickets at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, with the best figures of 7/57. Shami had three five-wicket hauls and a four-wicket haul in the tournament and also gained the best bowling figures by an Indian in WC history.