"UP Wale Laat Maar Ke...": Mohammed Shami Reveals Shocking Reason Behind Not Playing For Uttar Pradesh

Mohammed Shami has revealed the reason he decided against playing for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. His achievement in his native state has been widely recognized and celebrated by fans as well as the Uttar Pradesh government.

According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to build a mini stadium in his village after his heroics in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The right-arm pacer finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker despite not playing the first four games.

In just 7 games, Mohammed Shami picked up an impressive 24 wickets with the help of record three five-wicket hauls including a 7-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semifinal. He also picked up a four-wicket haul against England. In the final too, he dismissed the dangerous David Warner on his very first delivery but failed to inspire Team India to a win.

Mohammed Shami on snubbing Uttar Pradesh:

Mohammed Shami has been one of the best bowlers in India for more than a decade now. Unsurprisingly, Uttar Pradesh’s failure to secure his services for the domestic circuit has surprised many. And the bowler recently revealed the reason behind it. Hailing from Amroha, the India star said that he decided to leave Uttar Pradesh and move to Bengal after being mistreated.

“UP ka trial diya maine 2 saal. Sab theek rehta tha. Sabse acha dikhta tha. Lekin jaha final round aata tha UP wale laat maar ke bahar kar dete the. Yaha tumhara koi kaam nahi hai. Next year, bhi same. 1600 ladke aaye the, 3 din me dekhne hai aapko. Ranji Trophy ki team bann rahi hai. Bhaiya sath rehte the us time.

“Unhone baat kari ek chief se jo head the. Tb bhaiya ko aisa jawab mila jo unhone zindagi me kabhi except nahi kiya tha. Aisa bola gaya ki agar meri kursi hila skte ho toh ladka select ho jayega bahut acha hai warna sorry. Toh bhaiya ne ek he baat kahi thi ki hilane ki toh chodo ulti bhi kar skta hoon power toh itni hai, par vo nahi chahiye agar dum hai toh lena. Toh vo bolo ki dum walo ka yaha koi kaam nahi hai. Bhaiya ne form faada aur bola aaj ke baad UP nahi khelega.

(Roughly translated to: “I underwent trials in Uttar Pradesh for 2 years. Everything was fine. I looked the best among all. But when it came to the final round, people from UP would kick me out forcefully. They would say, ‘You have no business here. Next year, same story.’ There were 1600 boys who came; they had three days to assess us. A Ranji Trophy team was being formed. My brother was with me at that time. He spoke to a chief who was in charge. At that moment, my brother received a response he had never expected in his life. They said, ‘If you can shake my chair, the boy will be selected; he’s very good. Otherwise, sorry.’ So, my brother said only one thing: ‘Forget shaking, I can even turn it upside down; I have that much power. But I don’t want it if you have the courage, take it.’ They replied, ‘There’s no place for strong-willed people here.’ My brother tore the form and declared, ‘From today, you won’t play for UP.”)

Mohammed Shami finally made his first-class debut for Bengal in 2010, against Assam and went from strength to strength.